Segmental Identity and the Issue of Complex Segments

Author(s): András Cser / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2013

This paper examines the phonological entities called labiovelar stops in Classical Latin. The status of these entities involves the question whether they are segments (i.e., labiovelar stops) or clusters (i.e., sequences of a stop and a glide). The arguments for either position are discussed in detail and the literature is critically reviewed. The types of evidence that are taken into account are facts of frequency, phonetics, phonotactics, alternations and a specific assimilation process, and certain diachronic points are also considered. The conclusion is that the balance tilts slightly, but not definitively, towards the cluster interpretation.

Splitting ‘intervocalic’: Expanding the typology of lenition environments

Author(s): Katalin Balogné Bérces,Patrick Honeybone / Language(s): English Issue: 1-2/2012

The basic types of lenition environments (‘initial’, ‘intervocalic’, ‘final’) need to be separately evaluated as they differ along parameters like word position (e.g., pre-consonantal vs. final codas) or stress relations. This paper argues that we need to recognise an additional such parameter: the length of the vowel preceding an intervocalic consonant. We show that a number of phenomena from varieties of English and German show lenition patterns which draw a distinction between reflexes found in post-short (vc) and post-long (vvc) environments. The theoretical consequence of our observations is that phonological theory needs to be able to account for the post-short vs. post-long distinction in the form of a parametrically-determined representational difference.

Gradient phonotactic acceptability a case study from Slovak

Author(s): Zsuzsanna Bárkányi / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2011

Phonotactic well-formedness judgments are usually gradient, the theoretical interpretation of which is controversial in the phonological literature. In this study we present experimental evidence from Slovak that speakers do have intuitions about unattested grammatical forms as well as attested marginal ones and these intuitions can be modeled fairly closely by gradient phonotactic learners like, for instance, the Hayes-Wilson Phonotactic Learner. Our results suggest that in gradient phonotactic judgments the knowledge of the relative probability of various combinations of natural classes plays a decisive role. We pay special attention to sonority reversal clusters in Slovak and claim that these sequences, although attested in the language, are on the verge of grammaticality and thus prone to change.

GP 2, and Putonghua too

Author(s): Sašo Živanović,Markus Alexander Pöchtrager / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2010

The article illustrates some of the salient features of Government Phonology (GP) 2.0 by axiomatising (a subclass of) the set of possible Putonghua forms.We show that a phonological theory can profit by assuming that phonological representations are hierarchical, just like syntactic representations. A structural relation of c++command, a relative of the well-known c-command, is used heavily. The similarity with syntax is further underlined by the introduction of a phonological Binding Theory: illicit representations are prohibited by the LUxI Principles, the phonological counterpart of Principles A, B and C.

Auditory representations and the structures of GP 2.0

Author(s): Geoffrey Schwartz / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2010

This paper presents a proposal for the implementation of auditory specification within structures inspired by GP 2.0 (Kaye-Pöchtrager 2009). In the theory, constituent structure itself is a phonetic object built down from Onset structure. This strategy allows for a faithful representation of the acoustic signal and an insightful model of consonant strength and coda formation. Perceptual considerations suggest that a privative approach to auditory representation can account for phonological behavior, as well as enable us to form testable hypotheses for experimental phonetic study.

C-command, projections and melody: Micro-parameters of the Han-template

Author(s): Shanti Ulfsbjorninn / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2010

(South-)East Asian languages often force highly restricted word-structures, leading standard Government Phonology (sGP) to the useful, though problematic, Han-template (regular/augmented) (Beijing Mandarin (Goh 1996), Thai (Denwood 1999), Hongkui To (Xu 2001), and Vietnamese (Ulfsbjorninn 2008b)). We replace it with an obligatory c-command relationship between nuclear heads (xN1, xN2), resulting in xO2 being obligatorily c-commanded by xN1 (*V:C). In contrast, the augmented Han-template has obligatory c++2-command, hence, xO2 is not obligatorily c-commanded by xN1 (V:C). Concomitantly, *V:C (unlike V:C) languages prohibit I/U in xO2. In sGP no non-arbitrary link can be suggested; in GP 2.0, it emerges from micro-parametric c-command-conditions acting on word-structure.

The Coda Mirror V2

Author(s): Tobias Scheer,Markéta Ziková / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2010

This article further develops Coda Mirror theory (Ségéral-Scheer 2001a): its shortcomings are identified (overgeneration: the super-weak position predicted has no empirical echo, and the four-way parametric situation predicted in domain-final position is confronted with only two attested configurations), and a solution is proposed by dispensing with the equal-rightedness of government and licensing. Government over licensing is the principle proposed: no constituent can simultaneously be the target of both lateral forces, and if both could in principle apply, government is given precedence. A welcome by-product of this move is a new definition of open vs. closed syllables that makes sense: vowels in the former, but not in the latter, are licensed.

[voice] And/versus [spread glottis] in the modified Leiden model

Author(s): Dániel Huber,Katalin Balogné Bérces / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2010

The paper stresses the need to distinguish between two subtypes of binary laryngeal systems, viz. [voice] languages versus [spread glottis] languages (“laryngeal realism”—Honeybone 2005). It criticizes the use of the primes H and L for this distinction in Government Phonology, and proposes an alternative representation, based on Backley-Takahashi (1998) and Nasukawa-Backley (2005). This feature geometric model assumes the same set of melodic components for obstruents and sonorants within a system but with a difference in the status of source elements across the language types. Therefore, accompanied by the mechanism of element activation, it is claimed to capture the cross-linguistic observations more adequately.

The effect of familiarization on temporal aspects of turn-taking: A pilot study

Author(s): Tekla Etelka Gráczi,Sarolta Bata / Language(s): English Issue: 2-3/2010

The organization of conversations with respect to turn-taking and back-channeling is a well-established field of research. Suprasegmental features governing these phenomena have been analyzed regarding both speech production and perception. The present study aims to analyze an interpersonal factor, the process of familiarization and the nature of relationship of the speakers and its effects on the properties of turn-taking and back-channeling. The reasons and temporal organization of turn-taking and back-channeling were analyzed in the initial and final parts of three-member conversations of Hungarian speakers of diverse relationships. The patterns of reasons, the forms of turn-taking and the occurrence of back-channeling turned out to show particular effects of the relationship/familiarity of the speakers.

The markedness of the unmarked

Author(s): Péter Szigetvári / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2006

There are several phonological categories whose markedness—as inferred from typical markedness metrics—fails to match the representational complexity posit- ed for them. More specifically, glottal stops, geminate clusters, and onsetless syllables are representationally the simplest of their category, yet other criteria, like implicational hierarchies, mark them as special. This paper aims at comprehending this paradox.

Phonetic transcription in automatic speech recognition

Author(s): Péter Mihajlik,Tibor Révész,Péter Tatai / Language(s): English Issue: 3-4/2002

This paper discusses automatic phonetic transcription to be applied in Hungarian speech recognition. It first deals with the basic technologies of automatic speech recognition (ASR) for the sake of readers not familiar with this scientific field, then it discusses the place of (automatic) phonetic transcription in ASR. After that, our method developed for transcribing Hungarian texts automatically is introduced. This technique is an extension of the traditional linear transcription approach; its output is called 'optioned' because it contains pronunciation options in parallel arcs. We present our experiences with promising improvements in recogniser training efficiency. The achievements are due to the application of deeper linguistic (phonological) knowledge. With the training technique developed not only the quality of the acoustic models can be enhanced, but also, at the same time, the amount of the required manual work can effectively be decreased.

За устойчивостта на някои диалектни фонетични особености в мезолекта на Опака

Author(s): Rumyana Rusinova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 13/2013

This study presents a research on the extent of stability and frequency of usage of some phonetic features of the mesolect spoken by the Opaka residents. Markers of the dialect’s vocal system along with competing features of standard language system are subject of study in attempt to analyze the existing varieties including the influence of numerous sociolinguistic factors.

Француски полувокали и назални вокали у балетској терминологији у српском језику

Author(s): Jovana Marčeta / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 7/2017

In this paper we analyse ballet terms of French origin containing semi-vowels and nasal vowels (e.g. battement, entrechat, pas de trois). Since the use of ballet terminology is not standardized in the Serbian language, our aim is to analyse the chosen terms and to systematize the irregularities in their oral and written use in the Serbian language. The results of our research show that there are many inconsistencies (for exemple entrelacé [ StYBlAse ] is pronounced as antrelase, antrlase or entrelase in serbian; temps levé [ tS l(B)ve] is pronounced as tan leve or ten leve; pas de trois [ pA d(B)tYwA ] is pronounced as pa de troa / pa de trua, etc.). Since nowadays we expect the increased production of texts about ballet, we have proposed a standardization of the chosen ballet terms that would be useful for the authors of the professional literature, as well as for ballet critics and journalists of daily press.

THE RELATION BETWEEN THE PHONOLOGICAL COMPETENCE AND ORTHOGRAPHY IN THE ACQUISITION OF SPANISH (L2) BY ROMANIAN STUDENTS

Author(s): Razvan Bran / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2018

THIS PAPER LOOKS AT THE RELATION BETWEEN PHONOLOGY / PHONETICS, ON ONE HAND, ANDORTHOGRAPHY, ON THE OTHER HAND, IN THE PROCESS OF TEACHING / LEARNING SPANISH AS ASECOND LANGUAGE. MORE PRECISELY, WE WILL ANALYSE THE ACQUISITION OF THE PHONOLOGICALCOMPETENCE AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN USING ACCURATE ORTHOGRAPHY. ALTHOUGH SPANISH ISGENERALLY CONSIDERED AN “EASY” LANGUAGE FROM THE ANGLE OF ORTHOGRAPHY, WE CLAIMTHAT, DUE TO THE SPANISH DIATOPIC VARIETIES, SPREAD ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND THE PHONETICPHENOMENA THEY PRESENT (SESEO, CECEO, YEÍSMO), STUDENTS OF SPANISH (L2) COULDENCOUNTER SOME DIFFICULTIES IN ACQUIRING PRONUNCIATION AND SPELLING. IN LATIN AMERICA,THERE IS NO PHONOLOGICAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN /θ/ AND /s/, OR /ʝ/ AND /ʎ/. THESE DISTINCTIONSARE PERTINENT, FOR INSTANCE, IN THE PENINSULAR SPANISH AND THEY CAN BE HELPFUL FOR THEACQUISITION OF SPANISH ORTHOGRAPHY. NOT ONLY FOREIGN STUDENTS, BUT ALSO NATIVESPEAKERS ENCOUNTER SOME SPELLING PROBLEMS (DIFFERENCE BETWEEN S/Z OR Y/LL). INCONCLUSION, SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION SHOULD BE TAUGHT AND LEARNT TOGETHER ANDTEACHERS SHOULD INCLUDE IN THEIR SPANISH CLASSES A GREAT DEAL OF PRONUNCIATION ANDSPELLING ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THESE TWO INTERRELATED ASPECTS.

The Syllable: A Conclusively Defined Phonological Unit?

Author(s): Brian Mott / Language(s): English Issue: XVIII/2017

Definition of the syllable has been approached from several different angles.Various different theories have been proposed, based on respiratory activity, sonority or segmental composition, and more recently it has been suggested by J. C. Wells that the behaviour of allophones at syllable boundaries is a cue to where the boundaries lie. In the Longman Pronunciation Dictionary Wells maximizes the onsets and codas of stressed syllables, but still runs into difficulty with morpheme boundaries. This paper will ask if the syllable can be regarded as a satisfactorily and conclusively defined linguistic unit yet.

Harry van der Hulst: Asymmetries in vowel harmony: A representational account. With assistance from Jeroen van de Weijer

Author(s): Péter Siptár / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2019

Harry van der Hulst: Asymmetries in vowel harmony: A representational account. With assistance from Jeroen van de Weijer. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, pp. xix + 503.

The diffusion of Atlantic English-lexifier creoles: Evidence from Belizean Creole

Author(s): Andrei A. Avram / Language(s): English,Creoles and pidgins, English-based (Other) Issue: 2/2018

The paper analyzes the attestations in Belizean Creole of the diagnostic features of English-lexifier contact languages proposed by Baker and Huber (2001). It compares the distribution of these features in Belizean Creole and the seven Atlantic English-lexifier pidgins and creoles considered by Baker and Huber (2001). The features identified serve for quantitative measures of the affinity between Belizean Creole and two varieties, Jamaican and Miskito Coast Creole, which contributed to its emergence. A number of selected diagnostic features found in Belizean Creole are also discussed.

Phonologie / Phonetik / Phonodidaktik – zu den Prinzipien der Ausspracheschulung aus philologischer Sicht

Author(s): Artur Tworek / Language(s): German Issue: 2/2019

The philological pronunciation training is based on scientific knowledge from the field of phonology and phonetics, which are then worked out in the so-called phonodidactics. However, it is not uncommon for phonological approaches to be hardly applicable in foreign language didactics. In this context, the well-known theory of distinctive features is a prime example. In this article, principles are formulated that optimize the effectiveness of foreign language didactic phonetics.

Utilizarea unei aplicații computerizate pentru evaluarea și antrenarea procesărilor fonologice

Author(s): Larisa Cristea / Language(s): English,Romanian Issue: 2/2017

The phonological processing with its two components: phonological awareness and phonemic awareness isfocusing on differentiating the sounds that form the words. This side of the language has an important role inlearning reading-writing which makes efficient intervention in training it absolutely necessary. This articlefocuses on the training process of phonological processing with the help of a mobile application as well asclassic therapy.

PRAGMATISM OF MODAL VERBS: CASE STUDY OF ‘ICAO’ REQUIREMENTS

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Author(s): Daniela Nagy / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2019

Airspace nowadays is being used by almost all states of the world. Therefore, airspace users have become increasingly more aware of the necessity that common air rules should be applied, in order to avoid any hazards. The language of these air laws had to be as simple and clear as to be perceived correctly by everyone. The historical context of the World War II determined that the first international meeting of the states that had national aviation structures should be in Chicago, and the language used for negotiations or the final text of the Convention was English. Not all of the world states could be represented at the Chicago meeting because some of them were still at war, but countries that were interested in being part of the Convention were represented by a third party. The domination of the allied forces at the end of the war, with regard to air supremacy, resulted in a series of international documents, all of which written in English, then translated into the six languages of the United Nations. The current paper aims to analyze the pragmatic uses of modal verbs as they appear in some of the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and to determine whether or not their meanings may lead to instances of miscommunication or altered messages generated by interpretation in languages other than English.