What feature is characteristic of fricatives?

The characteristic feature of fricatives is continuous airflow through a narrow passage. When producing fricative sounds, the vocal tract is constricted, creating a narrow opening through which air flows. This airflow generates turbulence and noise, which is a defining characteristic of fricatives.

Fricatives can be voiced, like /v/ and /z/, or voiceless, like /f/ and /s/, and in both cases, the key element is the sustained airflow that creates the friction sound. This prolonged turbulence distinguishes fricatives from other types of consonants, such as stops, where airflow is completely obstructed before being released.

Understanding this concept is crucial for identifying and categorizing speech sounds in phonetics and speech science. Recognizing that continuous airflow is essential for the production of fricatives aids in distinguishing them from other phonetic categories with different airflow characteristics.