Laryngealized

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Produced with constriction or movement of the larynx as a distinct component of articulation, as in certain consonants of some languages
2. Articulated with the glottis and larynx actively involved in shaping the sound of a speech segment
3. Describing a speech sound given an added laryngeal gesture, such as creaky or breathy phonation, during its production

Etymology: "Laryngealized" is built from "laryngeal," the adjective from "larynx," the Greek-derived name for the voice box, combined with the suffix "-ize," which turns a noun or adjective into a verb meaning to make or treat in a certain way. Adding "-ed" then gives the past participle, so the word describes something that has been given a laryngeal quality. In phonetics, the term applies to a sound produced with a particular adjustment of the larynx, the structure in the throat that houses the vocal folds. Speech sounds can be modified by tightening, loosening, or otherwise shaping the larynx while speaking, and a sound altered this way is said to be laryngealized. The word thus names a specific articulatory modification rather than anything about the sound's meaning or history in everyday speech.

Synonyms: glottalized