Which IPA symbol represents the voiceless postalveolar fricative (as in 'shop')?

• A. /ʃ/
• B. /s/
• C. /h/
• D. /z/

Answer: (A)

The sound in this question is a voiceless fricative produced with the tongue bunched just behind the alveolar ridge, in the postalveolar region. That specific place and manner produce a soft, hiss-like sound without vibrating the vocal cords, which is exactly how /ʃ/ is made. The IPA symbol /ʃ/ is used for the “sh” sound in shop, so it’s the best fit for a voiceless postalveolar fricative.

The other sounds listed don’t match: /s/ is a voiceless fricative, but articulated at the alveolar ridge (not postalveolar). /h/ is a voiceless fricative produced with a constriction at the glottis. /z/ is a voiced fricative, also typically alveolar, not postalveolar.