Evidence for active cavity expansion through advanced lingual place of constriction in voiced geminates

Abstract

Geminate voicing requires both active and passive cavity expansion in order to delay the equalization of subglottal and supraglottal pressure (Ohala 1983, Ham 2001). Studies report differences in stop closure duration (Lahiri & Hankamer 1988) and pre-geminate vowel duration as cues to the laryngeal contrast. Following Schroeder (1967), Mermelstein (1967), and Iskarous (2010), we present results from formant transitions in the VC:V context and the anti-symmetric Fourier component coefficient, an = -2 (Fn-fn)/fn, to partially recover the area function of the vocal tract behind the geminate constriction. Voiced geminates exhibit significantly higher and positive coefficient values than their voiceless counterparts which implies that measured Fn values for voiced geminates are lower than their neutral tract formant values. This finding indicates that voiced geminates have a more anterior constriction compared to their voiceless counterparts. Without ruling out the role of passive cavity expansion through the cheek muscles, we conclude that in order to delay the pressure equalization the lingual constriction in voiced geminates is maintained at an anterior location compared to voiceless geminates in Bangla. Results from the slopes of first order F2 locus-equations are also presented to measure the differences in coarticulatory resistance between the voiced and voiceless geminates.Geminate voicing requires both active and passive cavity expansion in order to delay the equalization of subglottal and supraglottal pressure (Ohala 1983, Ham 2001). Studies report differences in stop closure duration (Lahiri & Hankamer 1988) and pre-geminate vowel duration as cues to the laryngeal contrast. Following Schroeder (1967), Mermelstein (1967), and Iskarous (2010), we present results from formant transitions in the VC:V context and the anti-symmetric Fourier component coefficient, an = -2 (Fn-fn)/fn, to partially recover the area function of the vocal tract behind the geminate constriction. Voiced geminates exhibit significantly higher and positive coefficient values than their voiceless counterparts which implies that measured Fn values for voiced geminates are lower than their neutral tract formant values. This finding indicates that voiced geminates have a more anterior constriction compared to their voiceless counterparts. Without ruling out the role of passive cavity expansion through the ...