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Glite Dictionary
delabialization

delabialization

9.9
To say a sound without making the lips round
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛləˌbeɪliəˈzeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
: deslabialización
  • The change from a rounded to an unrounded vowel in the dialect is an example of delabialization.

Examples

  • The delabialization of certain vowels can change their pronunciation.

  • A linguist might study delabialization in the evolution of certain languages.

  • Delabialization can occur when speakers simplify the articulation of rounded vowels.

  • Can you explain the delabialization process?

  • The change from a rounded to an unrounded vowel in the dialect is an example of delabialization.

  • A linguist might study delabialization in the evolution of certain languages.

  • The delabialization of certain vowels can change their pronunciation.

Surface Forms

delabialization singular
delabializations plural

Morphology

delabialization = labialization (semi-transparent) = de + labial + ization

The structure de- + labialization is clear, but the word is a specialized phonetics term rather than everyday vocabulary.

Etymology

Delabialization comes from de- meaning 'remove' and labial meaning 'lip', so it literally means 'removing lip' and that's why it means saying a sound without rounding the lips.