Cross-linguistic realization of lateral ejective affricates in connected versus isolated speech

Abstract

Typological research on ejectives has focused on the realization of stops in isolated speech (Kingston 1985, Lindau 1984). However, there has been little research on the realization of ejectives, and in particular affricates, in connected versus isolated speech. Given that lateral affricates can be produced with variable realization, this study compares the acoustics of [tɬ’] in isolated and connected speech for speakers of three languages: Lushootseed (Coast Salish), Hul’q’umi’num’ (Coast Salish), and Dene Kədə́ (Dene/Athabaskan). Duration, spectral moment, and voice quality measurements were examined from corpus data of word lists and connected speech. Results indicated that there was greater voice onset time (VOT), longer closure duration, and a smaller frication duration to VOT ratio in isolated speech than connected speech, supporting Lindblom’s (1990) and Farnetani & Recasens’ (2013) view that words are produced more hyperarticulated in isolated speech. Cross-linguistic differences were found in the duration of frication, center of gravity, and the rise to peak amplitude of the following vowel. Dene Kədə́ had greater frication duration and a shallower intensity slope than the Salish languages, indicators of differences in place of articulation and degree of affrication. This suggests different realizations of [tɬ’] across languages.