INGRESSIVE SOUND Meaning and
Definition
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An ingressive sound, also known as an inhalatory sound or introgressive sound, refers to a type of speech sound or phoneme produced by drawing air into the vocal tract rather than expelling it. In linguistic terms, an ingressive sound is formed when the airstream flows inward. This stands in contrast to egressive sounds, which are created by the airstream flowing outward.
Ingressive sounds can take different forms and occur in various languages around the world. One common example is the ingressive velar fricative found in several indigenous languages of the Americas. This sound is produced by drawing air into the back of the vocal tract, creating friction as it passes through the narrowing of the velum and the back of the tongue.
Interestingly, ingressive sounds are not limited to speech; they can also be produced during breathing and can be heard in colloquial expressions or vocal interjections. For instance, when someone gasps or makes a sharp intake of breath upon being startled or surprised, an ingressive sound is produced. Ingressive sounds can also be deliberately used for expressive purposes or as a form of nonverbal communication in certain cultures.
In summary, an ingressive sound refers to a type of speech sound created by drawing air into the vocal tract. It is characterized by the inward flow of the airstream, distinguishing it from egressive sounds that are formed by outward airflow.
Etymology of INGRESSIVE SOUND
The etymology of the word "ingressive" can be traced back to the Latin word "ingressus", which is the past participle of the verb "ingredi", meaning "to go into" or "to enter". In English, "ingressive" is used as an adjective to describe something that signifies an inward movement or entrance.
The term "ingressive sound" is typically used in linguistics to describe a type of sound produced by inhaling or taking in air through the vocal tract, rather than exhaling or expelling air, as in normal speech. The word "ingressive" in this context suggests the inward movement of air during the production of specific speech sounds or phonemes.
