Release direction in clicks correlates with coarticulation patterns

Abstract

Electropalatograhic data from one speaker’s productions of Khoekhoe palatal and alveolar clicks is presented. In alveolar clicks, the anterior part of the posterior constriction lowers first, increasing lingual cavity volume for rarefaction. The apical alveolar anterior constriction is abrupt. These clicks occur more frequently with [ai] than with [i]. Palatal click production exhibits apico‐laminal anterior contact from the dental to post‐alveolar regions, velar contact, and a small palatal opening. The anterior release starts with dental separation, followed by alveolar separation. Post‐alveolar contact is released last, simultaneously with velar contact forming the front edge of the posterior constriction. The palatal click anterior release is simultaneous with the posterior release, involving a larger contact area and a smaller cavity volume than the alveolar click. Anterior constriction contrasts in these clicks are apical alveolar versus laminal post‐alveolar. The post‐alveolar laminal click occurs freely with front vowels, while the apical alveolar click occurs freely with [ai], and less frequently with [i]. Anterior and posterior click releases follow the direction of airflow: Front to back. Release direction correlates with posterior constriction coarticulation patterns. [Work supported by NSF.]