voiced labial-velar approximant

w

way

/

weɪ

labial-velar approximant voiced oral pulmonic consonant

• raise the back part of the tongue toward the soft palate (the velum) while rounding the lips
• one articulator is close to another, but not enough to produce a turbulent airstream
• vibrate the vocal cord
• direct the airstream along the center of the tongue, rather than to the sides
• air is allowed to escape through the mouth only
• push air solely with the lungs and diaphragm