Voiceless labial–retroflex plosive

The voiceless labial–retroflex plosive is a type of consonantal sound used in the Yele language. It is a [ʈ] and [p] pronounced simultaneously. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ⟨ʈ͡p⟩. Para-IPA ⟨ṭ͡p⟩ is also seen.

Voiceless labial–retroflex plosive
ʈ͡p
ṭ͡p

Features

Features of the voiceless labial–retroflex plosive are:

• Its manner of articulation is occlusive, which means it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract. Since the consonant is also oral, with no nasal outlet, the airflow is blocked entirely, and the consonant is a plosive.
• Its place of articulation is labial–retroflex, which means that it is simultaneously articulated with the front part or underside of the tongue against the palate, and the lips.

• Its phonation is voiceless, which means it is produced without vibrations of the vocal cords.
• It is an oral consonant, which means air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
• It is a central consonant, which means it is produced by directing the airstream along the center of the tongue, rather than to the sides.
• Its airstream mechanism is pulmonic, which means it is articulated by pushing air solely with the intercostal muscles and abdominal muscles, as in most sounds.

Occurrence

Language	Dialect	Word	IPA	Meaning	Notes
Yele[1]		dpudu	[ʈ͡puɽu]	'freshwater eel'	Contrasts voiceless labial–alveolar plosive.
		dp꞉u	[ʈ͡pũ]	'you two'