plosiiviset

Plosiiviset are a class of speech sounds in phonetics characterized by a complete closure of the vocal tract, followed by a sudden release of air pressure. This closure, known as a stop or occlusion, prevents airflow momentarily. When the articulators involved in creating the closure are moved apart, the accumulated air pressure is expelled rapidly, creating a distinct burst of sound.

The production of plosives involves three main stages: the closure phase, the release phase, and the aspiration phase, though aspiration is not always present. The place of articulation where the closure occurs is a key feature differentiating various plosives. Common places include the lips (bilabial), the teeth and lips (labiodental), the tongue and the alveolar ridge (alveolar), the tongue and the palate (palatal), and the tongue and the velum (velar).

Another important characteristic is the manner of articulation, which describes how the airflow is obstructed. In plosives, the obstruction is complete. Additionally, plosives can be voiced or voiceless. Voiced plosives are produced with vibration of the vocal cords, while voiceless plosives are produced without vocal cord vibration. Examples of plosives in English include /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, and /g/. The distinct acoustic properties of the release burst are a defining feature in the perception of these sounds.