frictionless continuant

A general term used in the PHONETIC classification of speech sounds on the basis of their MANNER OF ARTICULATION: it refers to any sound functioning as a CONSONANT but which lacks the CLOSURE or FRICTION which identifies most consonantal articulations. In RECEIVED PRONUNCIATION, /r/ is often articulated in this way, with no audible friction. From a PHONETIC point of view, all VOWELS and vowel-like sounds are also technically ‘frictionless’ and ‘continuant’, but it is usual to restrict the term to those sounds which are consonantal in function. All NASALS and LATERALS are thus classifiable under this heading, as well as many varieties of /r/. In received pronunciation, the POST-ALVEOLAR /r/ is often articulated in this way, without audible friction, and is often described specifically as a ‘post-alveolar frictionless continuant’. Some phoneticians use the term APPROXIMANT to refer to these sounds.