Die Afrikaanse diftong /E+/: 'n Eksperimentele ondersoek

Abstract

The nature of the diphthong /E+/ (orthographically presented as 'ei'/'y'; in IPA terms transcribed as /∂i/; in SAMPA /@i]) was acoustically investigated in this experiment. The null hypothesis 'underlying diphthongs are only realised diphthongally' was made and verified from the speech of eight female speakers. This hypothesis reflects the current view in scientific literature that true diphthongs are phonemes consisting of two existing sounds, which is questioned on the basis of observation. Secondly, the traditional transcription [@i] was also tested. The following spectral parameters, which are relevant for vocal analysis, were analysed and measured: the first two formants, the beginning and end of these formants, the percentage gliding of these, and the gradient of the central 50% of the relevant segment (including the standard deviations of these). Based on the beginning and end values of the first two formants, the percentage gliding (%V) of the two formants was calculated. The duration of the relevant elements (vocal or diphthong) was also measured. From the results, it appears that the perception that the Afrikaans diphthong /E+/ (written as 'ei' and 'y') is always realised as a double vowel, is wrong — in almost half of all cases it is monophthongised. In addition, it was found that the transcription [@i] is not a correct version of the diphthong /E+/ and that it should rather be transcribed as [{E].