Nasalize

To pronounce a sound, especially a vowel, with the air flowing through the nasal cavity, giving it a characteristic resonance. This typically involves lowering the velum (soft palate) to allow air to pass through the nasal passage in addition to the mouth. Nasalization can alter the perceived phonetic quality of a sound, often creating a sound that sounds like it came from someone's nose. This phenomenon occurs in numerous languages, and can be a natural, or even a phonemic feature that differentiates two words. Improper nasalization can sometimes be associated with speech disorders, particularly when it is excessive or inconsistent. Accurate production is crucial for clear and understandable speech in many languages. The specific degree of nasalization can vary greatly depending on the individual, language, and specific context.

Nasalize meaning with examples

• During her French language lesson, the instructor emphasized the importance of nasalizing the vowel sounds. She explained that sounds like 'an,' 'en,' and 'on' require the airflow to pass through the nose. The student practiced repeating the sounds, focusing on lowering her soft palate to achieve the correct nasal quality to pronounce the words correctly.
• The singer's unique vocal style was characterized by a subtle nasalization, giving his voice a distinctive and slightly melancholic tone. Some listeners found the sound pleasing, while others found it slightly distracting. It helped the singer portray a character that felt complex and relatable.
• The speech therapist worked with the child to reduce the excessive nasalization in her speech, which made it difficult for others to understand her. They practiced exercises designed to improve velopharyngeal closure, the mechanism that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity.
• In some dialects of English, certain vowel sounds are naturally nasalized before nasal consonants. For example, the vowel in the word 'man' is often nasalized due to the presence of the 'n' sound, making it hard to notice. The regional accent added to the difficulty of the word.