That would be [ɰβ], not [ɰʷ], i.e. the “Japanese W”.Adarain wrote:I mean it's the approximant equivalent to [k͡p]. You could call it a labialized velar approximant [ɰʷ] or a velarized labial approximant [β̞ˠ]. Whether you classify the phoneme as anything in particular only matters if it takes part in alterations that are restricted to a certain PoA.Frislander wrote:More accurate in the sense that /w/ is more labial than it is velar articulation-wise.MrKrov wrote:Define more accurate.
[ɰβ] is a labial-velar approximant, i.e. a consonant that has two points of approach*: one is between the lips (as in [β̞]), the other is between the dorsum and the velum (as in [ɰ]).
[ɰʷ], or [w], is a labiovelar approximant, i.e. labialized velar approximant, i.e. a velar approximant with lip rounding. There is only one point of approach*: dorsum-velum (as in [ɰ]), but the lips don't produce an approximant, they are rounded instead.
*) By “approach” I mean the closest distance two parts of the mouth can have without producing a fricative, i.e. the state of producing an approximant.
So, [w] is actually “more” velar than labial.
And then, there's [ɰβʷ].