Ghebi Stops: Inventory, Distribution and Voice Onset Time (VOT)

Abstract

This study focuses on the Ghebi dialect spoken in Pakistan's northwest. The study primarily examines stops of the Ghebi dialect at word initial, medial, and final positions while also investigating the Voice Onset Time (VOT) values of Ghebi stops. Through the analysis of minimal pairs, 16 plosive sounds have been discerned in Ghebi, characterized by a four-way voicing contrast and articulated at four distinct locations. The voiceless unaspirated plosives consist of /p, t̪, ʈ, k/, while the voiceless aspirated plosives include /ph, t̪ʰ, ʈʰ, kʰ/. Voiced unaspirated plosives are represented by /b, d̪, ɖ, g/, whereas voiced aspirated plosives feature /bʰ, d̪ʰ, ɖʰ, gʰ/. VOT values were quantified using PRAAT, with voiceless stops exhibiting shorter VOT values. It was found that /ʈ/ has the shortest VOT value, while /ɖ/ has the longest VOT value. This present study will greatly contribute to the documentation and exploration of the Ghebi dialect.