second common variant of Swedish as velar. The difference between it and the cardinal velar is not clear, but it may have less friction , or be further forward , or both. Riad notes that the basic dorsal place of assimilation can be determined by the place of assimilation of a preceding nasal, with en skjorta 'a shirt', for example, being pronounced . He notes a labialized allophone . A number of intermediate possibilities between these extremes. Other articulations have been described as well, with no obvious standard emerging. Consider the following comments by Peter Ladefoged and Ian Maddieson: Kölsch A sound transcribed with is also reported to occur in the Kölsch variety of Ripuarian in Germany, being articulated in positions in words that enveloping Standard German has . The acoustic difference between and the Kölsch is difficult to perceive but the articulation is clearly distinct. Whether or not there is a relation between Swedish and the Kölsch is not known. While none seems to have been established, comments suggest that the choice of might well have been based upon a misunderstanding. Certainly, the Kölsch is not doubly articulated and even contrasts with a slightly velarized . Some phoneticians suggest that is a better symbol for this sound, but this is not established practice, and may need further research. Himalayan languages A sound transcribed with is also reported word-initially and word-medially in the Wutun language, where it has been described as a dorso-palatal/velar glide. The symbol is also used in describing a sound in the Bahing language of Nepal. See also Index of phonetics articles Rheinische Dokumenta Notes References External links Fricative consonants Swedish language Co-articulated consonants Voiceless oral consonants Central consonants Pulmonic consonants