Which symbol is listed for the unvoiced bilabial plosive?

Which symbol is listed for the unvoiced bilabial plosive?

• A. /b/
• B. /p/
• C. /m/
• D. /d/

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is distinguishing a stop sound by place, manner, and voicing in IPA symbols. An unvoiced bilabial plosive is produced by bringing both lips together to stop airflow and then releasing it, without vibrating the vocal folds. The symbol for that sound is /p/. This contrasts with the other options: /b/ is the same bilabial stop but voiced, meaning the vocal folds vibrate during the production. /m/ is also bilabial, but it’s a nasal stop, so air is redirected through the nose rather than released as a hard pressurized burst. /d/ is a different place of articulation (alveolar) and is voiced, so it involves vocal fold vibration as the sound is released.

The main idea here is distinguishing a stop sound by place, manner, and voicing in IPA symbols. An unvoiced bilabial plosive is produced by bringing both lips together to stop airflow and then releasing it, without vibrating the vocal folds. The symbol for that sound is /p/.

This contrasts with the other options: /b/ is the same bilabial stop but voiced, meaning the vocal folds vibrate during the production. /m/ is also bilabial, but it’s a nasal stop, so air is redirected through the nose rather than released as a hard pressurized burst. /d/ is a different place of articulation (alveolar) and is voiced, so it involves vocal fold vibration as the sound is released.