Aspiration

Aspiration refers to the delay of vibration of the vocal cords after the production of a voiceless consonant.

Example

There is a short period of air stream heard as a 'h'-like puff, designated with the phonetic symbol [h], as in English pin: [phin].

Comment

In some languages (cf. English) aspiration is predictable and position-bound.

Link

Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

References

• Chomsky, Noam A. & Halle, Morris. 1968. The sound pattern of English. New York: Harper & Row.
• Kenstowicz, M. and C. Kisseberth. 1979. Generative Phonology: Description and Theory. New York: Academic Press.