prevocalization

English

Etymology

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.