the terms fortis and lenis are convenient in discussing English phonology, even if they are phonetically imprecise. In southern German dialects, the actual distinction underlying obstruent pairs varies somewhat depending on the dialect, but is often one of length—fortis sounds are pronounced geminated in all positions in a word, even at the end of a word or before other consonants. Notation The IPA provides no specific means for representation of a fortis–lenis contrast. The extensions to the International Phonetic Alphabet provide a diacritic for strong articulation (e.g. ) and weak articulation (), but this does not cover all of the phonetic differences that have been categorized under fortis and lenis. Americanist phonetic notation uses fortis and lenis . Different ways of transcribing the fortis–lenis contrast have been used. For instance, for the transcription of the Zürich German fortis–lenis contrast – which involves neither voicing nor aspiration –, notations such as the following ones have appeared in the relevant literature: The fortis–lenis contrast may be transcribed with plain vs. . The fortis–lenis contrast may be transcribed as a gemination contrast ( or vs. ). The fortis–lenis contrast may be transcribed as vs. , that is, the lenes are marked with the IPA diacritic for voicelessness. By strict IPA definition, in this context can only denote partially devoiced obstruents. This notation emphasizes that there is more than just voice to the contrast between vs. . This means that depending on the system, may have opposite values, i.e. they may represent either fortis or lenis sounds. See also Irish phonology Tenseness References Bibliography External links fortis and lenis Phonology