Which IPA symbol represents the voiceless postalveolar fricative?

• A. /ʃ/
• B. /s/
• C. /h/
• D. /z/

Answer: (A)

The symbol /ʃ/ represents the voiceless postalveolar fricative. It is produced with the tongue blade raised toward the area just behind the alveolar ridge (the postalveolar region), creating a narrow opening for turbulent air flow, and with the vocal cords not vibrating (voiceless). This matches the sound you hear in English of the “sh” in ship.

The other choices don’t fit this exact combination: /s/ is also a voiceless fricative, but it’s alveolar, produced at the alveolar ridge rather than postalveolar. /h/ is a voiceless glottal fricative, produced at the vocal folds. /z/ is a voiced fricative, produced at the same place as /s/ (alveolar) but with voicing.