the status of [h] and [ʔ] in the sistani dialect of miyankangi

the purpose of this article is to determine the phonemic status of [h] and [ʔ] in the sistani dialect of miyankangi. auditory tests applied to the relevant data show that [ʔ] occurs mainly in word-initial position, where it stands in free variation with ø. the only place where [h] is heard is in arabic and persian loanwords, and only in the pronunciation of some speakers who are educated and/or live in urban centres, where inhabitants are in closer touch with persian than in rural areas. the sound [h] also occurs in the pronunuciation of some arabic loanwords where it replaces the glottal plosive, particularly in word medial, intervocalic position. the investigation shows that neither [ʔ] nor [h] have phonemic status in the sistani dialect of miyankangi at present, but that more intense contact with persian may change this state in the future, particularly for [h].