What is the primary feature of a glide sound?

A glide sound is characterized by continuous airflow with minimal constriction in the vocal tract. This feature allows the sound to transition smoothly from one position to another, resulting in a more fluid sound quality compared to other consonants. Glides are often described as having a vowel-like quality, which enables them to function as transitional sounds between vowels and other consonants.

In the context of articulatory phonetics, glide sounds such as [j] (as in "yes") and [w] (as in "water") are produced with a relatively open vocal tract. This openness is a result of minimal constriction, facilitating a smooth passage for the airstream. The quality of these sounds relies on the movement of the tongue and the shape of the oral cavity, rather than significant obstruction, which distinguishes glides from other types of consonants that might block airflow completely.

Understanding this primary feature of glide sounds is crucial for analyzing speech patterns and can also aid in clinical assessments of speech production where sound classification plays a vital role.