gutturonasal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareHighly Technical
Quick answer
What does “gutturonasal” mean?
Relating to or involving both the glottis (the guttural or throat region) and the nasal cavity in the production of a speech sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or involving both the glottis (the guttural or throat region) and the nasal cavity in the production of a speech sound.
Used specifically in phonetics and phonology to describe a consonantal articulatory gesture where a glottal closure or constriction is combined with a lowered velum, allowing air to escape through the nose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning. The term is confined to the same narrow academic/technical register in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, without cultural or stylistic connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare and technical in both UK and US academic linguistics.
Grammar
How to Use “gutturonasal” in a Sentence
[Gutturonasal] + noun (e.g., gutturonasal articulation)preposition + [gutturonasal] (e.g., with a gutturonasal component)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gutturonasal” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The analysis proposed a complex, gutturonasal airstream mechanism for the implosive.
American English
- Some languages are analysed as having gutturonasal stops or fricatives.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in advanced phonetics/phonology papers or textbooks to describe complex articulations.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary and only context; describes a specific phonetic feature in linguistic analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gutturonasal”
- Mispronouncing the first 'r' as silent (/ˈɡʌt.əʊ.neɪ.zəl/).
- Confusing 'gutturo-' with 'gutteral' (a common misspelling of 'guttural').
- Using the term outside of its highly specific phonetic context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare technical term used only in advanced linguistic phonetics.
A voiced glottal stop (ɦ) with simultaneous nasal airflow could be described as gutturonasal, though such sounds are not standard in major world languages.
'Guttural' is a broader, sometimes informal term for throaty sounds. 'Gutturonasal' is a precise term specifying a combination of glottal (throat) and nasal articulation.
Absolutely not. It is relevant only for specialists in phonetics or language documentation.
Relating to or involving both the glottis (the guttural or throat region) and the nasal cavity in the production of a speech sound.
Gutturonasal is usually highly technical in register.
Gutturonasal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʌt.rəʊ.ˈneɪ.zəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʌt.roʊ.ˈneɪ.zəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'gutturo' (from 'guttural', meaning throat) + 'nasal' (nose). A sound made in the throat but also sent out through the nose.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a literal, technical description of a physical process.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'gutturonasal' exclusively used?