NASAL RELEASE Meaning and
Definition
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Nasal release refers to a linguistic phenomenon that occurs when a consonant sound is articulated with a brief opening of the nasal cavity, allowing air to flow through the nasal passage while producing the sound. This release of air through the nose adds a distinct quality or resonance to the sound produced.
Nasal release typically occurs in nasal consonants such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/, but can also be observed in some instances of voiceless stops like /p/, /t/, and /k/. The nasal release occurs during the transition from the consonant sound to a following vowel, resulting in a noticeable nasal quality in the pronunciation.
For example, when pronouncing the word "man," there is a nasal release that occurs as the /n/ sound transitions into the vowel /æ/. The nasal release allows air to flow out through the nose, giving the /æ/ sound a slightly nasal characteristic.
Nasal release is a crucial aspect of phonetics and phonology as it distinguishes nasal sounds from their non-nasal counterparts, affecting the overall sound quality and intelligibility of a language. It is commonly observed in various languages around the world, but the degree and frequency of nasal release may vary depending on the linguistic context and individual speaker.
Etymology of NASAL RELEASE
The word "nasal release" is a compound term derived from two different words: "nasal" and "release".
The word "nasal" originates from the Latin word "nasus", meaning "nose". It has been incorporated into several languages to refer to different aspects related to the nose, including nasal sounds or nasal passages.
The word "release" comes from the Old French word "relesser", which means "to set free". It can also be traced back to the Latin word "relinquere", meaning "to leave behind".
When combined, "nasal release" refers to the act of releasing or permitting airflow through the nose during the pronunciation of certain sounds. It is commonly used to describe the phonetic feature of sounds produced with nasal resonance, where the soft palate is lowered, allowing air to pass through both the nasal and oral cavities simultaneously.
