Phonological neighborhood complexity and sound change

Abstract The significance of the phonological neighborhood on lexical processing has been documented by decades studies in field, and it become clear that connectivity mental lexicon is a crucial facilitator for word learning both production perception domains. What remained underrepresented literature to date question how or phonetic changes are accommodated neighborhoods, put differently, what implications language change. present study investigates two voice onset time ( VOT ) Austrian German plosives have appeared certain types neighborhoods. Inferences about which characteristics most conducive sound change drawn. Results vary fortis/lenis articulation, with lenis shortening fortis lengthening being linked different neighborhoods generations speakers.