Coarticulation and Phonetic Competence

Abstract

This paper examines possible criteria for establishing competence/performance distinctions in phonetic theory. It is emphasized that for the competence aspect, rules should take a form compatible with those of the phonological component, and question of whether the coarticulation phenomenon can be handled adequately in the phonetic competence model is also discussed. Recent electromyographic data are referred to, and the problem of the relative roles of active and passive (voluntary and involuntary) programming of the muscles associated with articulation re-examined. It is argued that the area is by no means exhausted and that there are even yet questions to be asked.