prevocalization

English

Etymology

From pre- +‎ vocalization.

Noun

prevocalization (countable and uncountable, plural prevocalizations)

  1. A minor vocal sound produced in advance of a significant sound.
    • 1978, William E. Fann, Phenomenology and Treatment of Schizophrenia, page 175:
      For example, unless the ear recognizes that in saying "Ma" the throat emits a very brief hum before the lips open, this morpheme could be confused with "Ta," a sound that is uttered without such prevocalization.
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