IPA [ʈʲ]
AS [ṭ′]
positional variant (does not occur in isolation)
Based on Maciołek & Tambor (2012)
Voiceless: the vocal folds are separated, not vibrating, the air flows freely between them.
Retroflex: the tip of the tongue touches the upper palate behind the alveolar ridge. At the same time the back of the tongue rises towards the soft palate.
Palatalized: the middle of the tongue gets closer to the hard palate as a secondary articulation.
Plosive: a closure in the oral cavity and of the soft palate obstructs the airflow from the lungs, the air-pressure rises, subsequently, there is a quick release of the closure in the oral cavity, i.e. a plosion.