The palatoglossal sphincter in French uvular /r/.

Abstract

Speech production models have typically defined lingual constrictions in terms of tongue motion relative to unmoving opposing surfaces, such as the palate or teeth. While such a model may apply well to hard structures such as the palate, it is not clear that this appropriately characterizes constrictions involving soft structures such as the velum and uvula. Anatomically, the uvula and velum constitute the upper surface of a muscular sphincter including the palatoglossus muscles laterally and the tongue below. The present study tests whether uvular constrictions may be better described as actions of this palatoglossal sphincter, analogous to the lips, velopharyngeal port, or epilaryngeal tube. We tested this proposal by measuring the response of the velum/uvula during production of French uvular /r/ in an x‐ray film [Munhall et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 98(2), 1222–1224 (1995)]. Preliminary findings indicate that, as seen with other sphincters, speakers exhibit a variety of different mechanisms for forming constrictions, but all show active involvement of the palatoglossal arch, in addition to the tongue, in producing the uvular constriction. Modifications to speech production models to accommodate these findings will be discussed. [Work supported by the NSERC.]