1. They are formed by a complete closure of the vocal tract: This closure happens at some point in the mouth, like the lips, teeth, or back of the tongue against the soft palate. This blockage of airflow creates pressure behind the closure, which is then released suddenly.
2. They are characterized by a brief period of silence: This silence occurs during the time the air is blocked. The duration of this silence can vary slightly depending on the language and the speaker.
3. They are generally considered to be "stop" consonants: This is because they stop the flow of air completely for a brief moment.
4. Plosives are often grouped into pairs based on voicing: Voiceless plosives (like /p/, /t/, /k/) are produced without vibration of the vocal cords, while voiced plosives (like /b/, /d/, /g/) are produced with vocal cord vibration.
5. They are common across languages: Plosive consonants are found in almost every language, although the specific sounds and their placement in the mouth can vary.
6. They can be used to create different effects in speech: Plosives can be used to create a sense of emphasis, anger, or surprise, depending on how they are used.
7. Plosives are often contrasted with other consonant types: They are distinct from fricatives (like /f/, /s/, /th/) which involve a continuous flow of air through a narrow opening, and nasals (like /m/, /n/, /ŋ/) which allow air to flow out through the nose.
It's important to note that these are just some of the general beliefs about plosive consonants. There is still much to learn about these sounds, and their exact articulation can vary depending on the language and individual speaker.