Определение и Значение "continuant"

What is a "continuant"?

A continuant is a type of speech sound produced by allowing airflow to pass through the vocal tract continuously without any significant blockage. This category includes certain consonants and vowels where the sound can be sustained for as long as air is flowing. Examples of continuants include sounds like "s," "f," "l," and vowels such as "a" and "e." Continuants contrast with stops, where airflow is completely blocked for a brief moment before being released. Understanding continuants is important for phonetics and helps in distinguishing different types of sounds in language.