Glottal Stop

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

English (General): /ˈɡlɒt.əl stɒp/

American English: /ˈɡlɑː.t̬əl stɑːp/

British English: /ˈɡlɒt.əl stɒp/

Definitions

• A speech sound produced by the complete closure of the glottis, briefly stopping airflow before it is released.
• A phonetic feature common in languages such as Arabic, Hawaiian, and Cockney English.

Usage Examples

• The word "uh-oh" in English contains a glottal stop between the syllables.
• In Cockney English, the "t" in "bottle" is often replaced with a glottal stop, sounding like "bo'le."

Etymology

Derived from "glottal" (relating to the glottis) and "stop" (a type of consonantal sound), first recorded in phonetic studies in the 19th century.

Synonyms

• Glottal plosive
• Glottal closure
• Glottalization

Antonyms

• Fully articulated consonant
• Continuous airflow sound

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• North American: /ˈɡlɑː.t̬əl stɑːp/
• British: /ˈɡlɒt.əl stɒp/
• Australian: /ˈɡlɒt.əl stɒp/

Historical Usage

The glottal stop has been recognized in phonetics since the 19th century. It is a significant feature in various languages and dialects, particularly in English, Arabic, and Polynesian languages.

Cultural Nuances

Glottal stops are commonly used in informal speech and dialectal variations. In Cockney and Estuary English, glottalization replaces "t" sounds, while in Hawaiian, the ‘okina (ʻ) represents a distinct glottal stop.

More Information

The glottal stop is essential in understanding phonetics and language evolution. It is used in many world languages and dialects as a meaningful phonetic element, often affecting pronunciation, speech flow, and regional accents.