Tongue movements in vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV) sequences: The effect of consonant length

Abstract

This study examined the effect of consonant duration on the tongue movement from the first to the second vowel in VCV sequences, where the consonant is a short or long labial nasal consonant. Lip, tongue, and jaw movements were recorded in native speakers of Japanese using a magnetometer system. Measurements were made of the duration, path, and speed of the tongue movement trajectory between the two vowels. The coordination of the onsets of the lip closing and tongue movements was also studied, as well as the relative part of the trajectory that occurred during the consonant and the vowels. Preliminary results show a robust difference in duration between the long and short consonants, with the long ones about twice as long. The duration of the tongue movement was longer in the long than the short consonants. Both the peak and average speed of the tongue movement were slower in the long consonants. The tongue movement path was slightly longer in the long consonants. These results suggest that speakers adjust the tongue movement trajectory so that a similar relationship between the movement and the consonant closure is maintained in both the long and the short consonants. [Work supported by NIH.]