spirant

A spirant is a type of consonant sound in phonetics and phonology that is characterized by a fricative-like articulation but with a relatively open vocal tract, resulting in a softer, breathier, or more whispered quality compared to typical fricatives. Unlike fricatives, which involve a strong constriction of airflow producing audible friction, spirants are produced with a looser articulation, often resembling a gentle release of air.

Spirants are classified as either **sibilants** (e.g., the English "th" in "think") or **non-sibilants** (e.g., the "th" in "then"). Sibilant spirants involve airflow directed against the sharp edges of the tongue or teeth, producing a hissing sound, while non-sibilant spirants lack this sharpness. Some languages, such as English, distinguish between voiced and voiceless spirants, where voiceless spirants (e.g., the "th" in "thin") lack vocal cord vibration, whereas voiced spirants (e.g., the "th" in "this") include it.

Spirants are found in many languages, often serving as phonemic contrasts that differentiate word meanings. For example, in English, the distinction between the voiced and voiceless "th" sounds can change the meaning of words like "thin" versus "this." Some languages, such as German, use spirants extensively, while others, like Spanish, may have fewer or no spirant sounds.

Phonetically, spirants occupy a position between fricatives and approximants (sounds like "w" or "y"), as they share characteristics of both. Their articulation is less constricted than fricatives but more precise than the loose, vowel-like quality of approximants. The study of spirants is relevant in linguistics for understanding sound systems, language acquisition, and phonetic transcription.