Consonant Sounds

Speech sounds produced with partial or complete vocal tract constriction, classified by place, manner, and voicing.

Core Principles & Analysis

• The IPA chart arranges consonants in a grid by place and manner of articulation.
• Taa (ǃXóõ) of Botswana has one of the largest inventories, with over 80 consonants.
• Rotokas of Papua New Guinea uses only about six consonants.