Ballistic syllables are a phonemic distinction in Otomanguean languages: Chinantec and Amuzgo. They have been described as characterized with increased sub- glottal pressure (Mugele 1982) or laryngeal abduction (Silverman 1994). The acoustic effect is a

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release of the consonant, a gradual surge in the intensity of the vowel, followed by a rapid decay in intensity into post-vocalic aspiration. They may thus be a form of

phonation The term phonation has slightly different meanings depending on the subfield of phonetics. Among some phoneticians, ''phonation'' is the process by which the vocal folds produce certain sounds through quasi-periodic vibration. This is the defi ...

. Non-ballistic syllables are, by contrast, called "controlled." See Chinantec of Ozumacín for examples.

References

* * Phonation {{phonetics-stub