Phonological Variability in the Laboratory
-
Chip Gerfen
Abstract
This study employs a controlled experimental word-naming paradigm to probe variable bidialectal speech production. We focus on bidialectal Andalusian/Standard Peninsular Spanish speakers and focus on the variable production of three distinctive Andalusian processes not found in the standard variety: coda obstruent aspiration, final liquid deletion, and final /n/-velarization. Statistical analyses reveal that the three processes pattern distinctly, with aspiration exhibiting the most variability, /n/-velarization most frequently produced, and final liquid deletion least likely to be produced. Additionally, regression analyses reveal a non-significant trend in which forms produced with Andalusian phonology exhibit faster reaction times. Methodologically, our study shows that traditional psycholinguistic methods can be extended to the exploration of the mental representation of speakers of multiple dialects and that controlled laboratory conditions can serve as a window on variability in speech production, complementing traditional naturalistic data collection.
Abstract
This study employs a controlled experimental word-naming paradigm to probe variable bidialectal speech production. We focus on bidialectal Andalusian/Standard Peninsular Spanish speakers and focus on the variable production of three distinctive Andalusian processes not found in the standard variety: coda obstruent aspiration, final liquid deletion, and final /n/-velarization. Statistical analyses reveal that the three processes pattern distinctly, with aspiration exhibiting the most variability, /n/-velarization most frequently produced, and final liquid deletion least likely to be produced. Additionally, regression analyses reveal a non-significant trend in which forms produced with Andalusian phonology exhibit faster reaction times. Methodologically, our study shows that traditional psycholinguistic methods can be extended to the exploration of the mental representation of speakers of multiple dialects and that controlled laboratory conditions can serve as a window on variability in speech production, complementing traditional naturalistic data collection.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- An Acoustic Basis for Palatal Geminate Behavior in Spanish 1
- Mapping the Patterns of Maintenance versus Merger in Bilingual Phonology 15
- New Tendencies in Geographical Dialectology 31
- Output-to-output Correspondence and the Emergence of the Unmarked in Spanish Plural Formation 49
- Mapping French Pronunciation 65
- Phonological Variability in the Laboratory 83
- Constraint Re-ranking in Three Grammars 97
- Mid Vowels and Schwa in Eastern Catalan 113
- The Nominal Stress System of Romanian (re)revisited 127
- Proto-Romance Stress Shift Revisited 141
- Final -m in Yucatan Spanish 155
- Stressed Enclitics? 167
- How To Do Things Without Junk 183
- Subject Index 207
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- An Acoustic Basis for Palatal Geminate Behavior in Spanish 1
- Mapping the Patterns of Maintenance versus Merger in Bilingual Phonology 15
- New Tendencies in Geographical Dialectology 31
- Output-to-output Correspondence and the Emergence of the Unmarked in Spanish Plural Formation 49
- Mapping French Pronunciation 65
- Phonological Variability in the Laboratory 83
- Constraint Re-ranking in Three Grammars 97
- Mid Vowels and Schwa in Eastern Catalan 113
- The Nominal Stress System of Romanian (re)revisited 127
- Proto-Romance Stress Shift Revisited 141
- Final -m in Yucatan Spanish 155
- Stressed Enclitics? 167
- How To Do Things Without Junk 183
- Subject Index 207
