The oral manner of articulation is [...] not sufficient to define a consonant. The place of articulation must also be considerd. Contacts may be formed at a large number of points [...] The positions grade into each other, but each language selects a limited number of clearly defined positions as characteristic of its consonantal system [...]
- Sapir (1921), a pag.51

The third class of consonants, the 'laterals,' are semi-stopped. There is a true stoppage at the central point of articulation, but the breath is allowed to escape through the two side passages or through one of them.
- Sapir (1921), a pag.51