Which symbol represents a glottal fricative?

• A. [f]
• B. [s]
• C. [k]
• D. [h]

Answer: (D)

A glottal fricative is produced by a narrow opening at the glottis—the space between the vocal folds—so the air passes through with turbulence, creating noise rather than a full stop or an open vowel. The symbol for this sound is [h], the voiceless glottal fricative. It’s heard at the start of English words like “hat,” where the air streams through the open glottis and a hissy noise is created without vibrating the vocal folds. The other symbols reference different places or manners of articulation: [f] is a labiodental fricative made with the lip and teeth; [s] is an alveolar fricative produced at the tongue contact with the alveolar ridge; [k] is a velar stop produced by a complete closure at the velum followed by release. So the glottal fricative is defined by its glottal place of articulation, which is why [h] is the correct symbol.