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Yod phoneme /j/
The yod phoneme /j/ is a consonant phoneme that occurs in English.[1]
Naming[edit | edit source]
Like other consonant phonemes, naming can be tricky. Its IPA symbol is lowercase J, but calling it the J phoneme seems a bad idea, since it can be somewhat confusing for EFL learners who have learnt with phonics that ⟨j⟩ sounds phoneme /ʤ/. Calling it the Y phoneme is also not a good idea because in IPA lowercase Y represents a close front rounded vowel [y]. It makes more sense to call it yod (after the name of its sound) or yuh after the sound it makes.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Representation[edit | edit source]
In phonemic notation using the International Phonetic Alphabet, the Yod phoneme is represented by lowercase J, ⟨j⟩ as its IPA symbol. This has the IPA number 153. In SAMPA and X-SAMPA, j is also used. In IPA Braille, ⠚ (135) is used, which is also used for letter J in standard Braille.
Phonotactics[edit | edit source]
This can only occur at syllable onset.
Pronunciation[edit | edit source]
It’s reliably pronounced as a yod (voiced palatal approximant).
Spelling[edit | edit source]
Spelling is typically ⟨y⟩ (consonant monograph). In some cases, it can be ⟨j⟩; mostly in loan words from Germanic languages, e.g. Bjorn, fjord, or like in hallelujah, which is derived from Hebrew.[2]
