The acoustics of word-initial and word-internal voiced stops in Somali

This article seeks to determine the acoustic correlates of gemination in Standard Somali (Afroasiatic, Cushitic), particular whether closure duration is primary correlate distinguishing singleton and geminate stops, with immediate consequences for analysis word-initial strengthening. We provide an word-internal voiced singletons as well their counterparts on basis a production experiment conducted four native speakers. Three temporal non-temporal properties /b d ɡ/ /bb dd ɡɡ/ are examined systematically compared (closure duration, release burst vowel duration; amplitude, presence burst, (de)voicing). argue that opposition between stops primarily realized manner contrast approximant [β̞ ð̞ ɣ̞] vs. stop [b ɡ]. Word-initially, exhibits various peculiarities reminiscent cross-linguistically attested phenomenon domain-initial provides first study this Somali. establish word-medial share same within Prosodic Word. They also have similar voicing properties. Moreover, remain constant, do not depend position prosodic hierarchy. On these results, aims at providing new insights phonological representation geminates word boundaries, thus contributes understanding strengthening