What distinguishes the production of a fricative consonant from a stop consonant in human speech?

💡 Explanation

Fricative consonants involve turbulent airflow generated by forcing air through a narrow channel, a process called 'frication', rather than a complete obstruction as in stop consonants. Because frication causes this noise, a hissing sound is produced; therefore, turbulent noise is the key distinction, rather than velum position or complete vocal cord cessation.

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