NasalA sound produced with air flowing through the nasal passages. An example of a nasal consonant is [m] and an example of a nasal vowel is [ã]. |
Nasal cavityThe large cavity above the roof of the mouth, connected to the upper part of the pharynx at the rear and having the nostrils at the front. |
Nasal vowelA vowel sound produced without velic closure so that air escapes simultaneously though the oral and the nasal cavity. Also nasalised vowel. |
Nasalized vowelSee nasal vowel. |
Natural classA set of speech sounds that behaves similarly, for instance in a historical sound change or synchronic process (e.g. all obstruents, all voiceless stops, all front vowels, etc.). |
NeologismA new lexeme that is attested, but had not previously been observed in the language. |
NeurolinguisticsThe study of how language is represented and processed in the brain. |
NeuterIn gender systems, one of the genders (cf. feminine, masculine). |
NeutralizationIf a language has two sounds which are distinct in one environment (e.g. word-initially), and not distinct in another environment (e.g. word-finally, or when not stressed, or in another particular position), then the distinction between the sounds is said to be neutralized in that environment. For instance, English has distinct t and d word-initially (as proven by minial pairs, such town and down) as well as word-finally (e.g. sent and send). After /s/, however, the distinction between the two sounds is neutralized: only /t/ appears (stem vs. *sdem). |
NominativeIn languages with grammatical case, the one typically used for subjects. |