Homophonous phonotactic and morphonotactic consonant clusters in word-final position

Morphonotactic clusters are defined as combinations of phonemes across morpheme boundaries. As they are cognitively processed faster and acquired earlier than phonotactic clusters, it is hypothesised that in speech production, morphonotactic clusters are more robust and highlighted than phonotactic clusters. The aim of this study was to compare homophonous phonotactic and morphonotactic consonant clusters. Homophonous target words produced in semi-spontaneous speech of 16 Standard Austrian German speakers were analysed. Word-final morphonotactic and phonotactic consonant clusters were analysed with respect to relative duration and intensity of both the clusters and the cluster-final /t/. Additionally, closure duration of the final-/t/ and the intensity of the burst were measured. Contrary to the assumption, a global comparison of the clusters revealed no difference in the relative duration of morphonotactic clusters as compared to the phonotactic counterparts. Likewise, concerning the word-final /t/ no differences between phonotactic and morphonotactic clusters occurred. Unexpectedly, genderand age-specific differences arose, independent of the phonotactic / morphonotactic distinction of the clusters.