Phonetic reduction of clicks - Evidence from Nǀuu
نویسندگان
چکیده
Based on spontaneous speech data of the Tuu language Nǀuu, we used the cross-linguistically established domain-initial strengthening concept in order to examine, if and in which way clicks are subject to speech reduction (lenition) in relation to a reference sample of plosives. Results of combined acoustic and auditory analyses suggest that clicks can be reduced in a gradual fashion and show more reduction phrase-finally than phrase-initially, just like plosives. However, unlike plosives, it seems that the reduction of clicks does not primarily affect the complex articulatory process itself, but rather its effort and coordination with phonation.
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