coronal (adj.) (cor, COR)

One of the features of sound set up by Chomsky and Halle in their DISTINCTIVE FEATURE theory of PHONOLOGY, to handle variations in PLACE OF ARTICULATION (CAVITY features). Coronal sounds are defined ARTICULATORILY, as those produced with the BLADE of the TONGUE raised from its neutral position. ALVEOLAR, DENTAL and PALATO-ALVEOLAR CONSONANTS are [+coronal] (abbreviated as [+cor]). Its opposite is NON-CORONAL, referring to sounds produced with the tongue blade in neutral position, as in LABIAL and VELAR consonants [−coronal] ([−cor]). The term has continued to be used in later phonological theory, especially in various NON-LINEAR models. For example, in ARTICULATOR-BASED FEATURE models, it refers to a single-valued NODE involving the tongue front as an active articulator. In CONSTRICTION-based models, it is defined as a constriction formed by the front of the tongue. Coronalization is a term used to express several kinds of relationship between coronal consonants and front VOWELS; for example, the process of VELAR consonants becoming coronal, or ANTERIOR consonants becoming coronal, before front vowels.