On the distinction between Norwegian /∫/ and /ç/ from a phonetic perspective

Abstract

The present study uses electropalatography (EPG) and electromagnetic articulography (EMA) in the description of the articulation of the two East Norwegian fricatives /∫/ and /ç/ in the speech of seven normal adult speakers. The motivation for studying these two phonemes is twofold: there is a merger between the places of articulation of these two fricatives in the speech of the young. A description of the articulation in the speech of mature speakers who have the distinction, may throw light on the mechanisms behind the merger. Furthermore, identifying possible articulatory variation between normal speakers is important in order to establish an articulatory base line for clinical work. Our investigation has shown considerable overlap between the phonetic realizations of the two phonemes, as well as substantial variation between speakers in their articulation. There is, however, a clear acoustic distinction between the two phonemes for all speakers, and the acoustic patterns between speakers are similar.