glottal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Specialised
Quick answer
What does “glottal” mean?
Relating to the glottis (the space between the vocal cords).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the glottis (the space between the vocal cords).
In phonetics, specifically describing speech sounds (e.g., a stop or fricative) produced by the closure or constriction of the glottis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term itself is identical, but its application in dialect description differs. In British English, 'glottal stop' is strongly associated with specific regional accents (e.g., Cockney, Glaswegian, Estuary English). In American English, the glottal stop is discussed in linguistics and is a feature of some accents (e.g., in 'uh-oh' or as an allophone of /t/ in some dialects like New York City English), but it is less stereotyped as a social marker.
Connotations
In general British discourse, 'glottal stop' can carry negative connotations of informal, 'lazy', or non-standard speech. In American English, it is more neutrally technical, though it may be noted as a feature in some regional speech.
Frequency
The word is infrequent in everyday speech for both varieties, used almost exclusively by linguists, language teachers, and speech professionals. Public awareness of the concept is arguably higher in the UK due to media focus on accents.
Grammar
How to Use “glottal” in a Sentence
Adjectival modifier in noun phrases (e.g., glottal stop)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glottal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some speakers glottalise the /t/ in 'water' quite heavily.
American English
- Linguists note that speakers may glottalize /p/, /t/, and /k/ at the ends of words.
adverb
British English
- The /t/ was articulated glottally.
American English
- That sound is produced glottally rather than orally.
adjective
British English
- His glottal stops were very prominent in that interview.
American English
- The phonetics professor demonstrated the glottal fricative sound.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, phonetics, speech therapy, and anatomy papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Very rare; might occur in discussions about language learning, accents, or voice production (e.g., singing lessons).
Technical
The primary domain of use; precise description of speech sound articulation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glottal”
- Misspelling as 'glotal' (missing one 't').
- Confusing 'glottal' (related to glottis) with 'glottic' (pertaining to the glottis itself, often used in medical contexts).
- Incorrectly extending its use beyond phonetic/anatomical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a natural phonetic feature found in many languages and accents. Its social evaluation (e.g., as 'lazy' or 'informal') is a matter of language attitude, not linguistic correctness.
Yes. In British English, listen for the break in 'uh-oh' or the missing /t/ in 'water' in some accents. In American English, it's the sound in the middle of 'uh-oh' or sometimes before a syllabic /n/ in words like 'button'.
'Glottis' is a noun referring to the physical space between the vocal cords. 'Glottal' is an adjective meaning 'relating to the glottis'.
It depends on the accent you are learning or using. They are a standard, neutral feature in many native-speaker accents, particularly in certain phonetic environments. They are not required for basic intelligibility but are part of natural, connected speech in many dialects.
Relating to the glottis (the space between the vocal cords).
Glottal is usually technical/specialised in register.
Glottal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɒt.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑː.t̬əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'glottis' (your vocal cords) + '-al' (meaning 'related to'). It's the 'glottis-al' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
The glottis as a valve or gate controlling airflow from the lungs.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the glottis in speech production?