Universality of Articulatory Conflict Resolution: Evidence from Salish Languages

Authors

  • Sonya Bird University of Victoria
  • Janet Leonard University of Victoria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/nwjl.v3i2.203418

Keywords:

Saanich, Northern Straits Salish, speech production, co-articulation, articulatory conflict, Salish languages

Abstract

Previous research has shown that in cases where two adjacent target sounds create an articulatory conflict, speakers tend either to insert an epenthetic element between the two (fully achieved) sounds or to compromise the articulation of one of the sounds. In this paper we focus on the pronunciation of /qi/ and /iq/ sequences in SENĆOŦEN. We show that /qi/ sequences are pronounced with a retracted vowel ([qɪ]) whereas /iq/ sequences are pronounced with a transitional fricative [ixq]. These results are compared to the patterns described in other Salish languages, and discussed in terms of their implications for phonetic typology.

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Published

2009-03-03

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2009)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2009 Sonya Bird and Janet Leonard

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