Prestopping of nasals and laterals is only partly parallel
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Erich Round
Abstract
Pre-stopped nasals and laterals occur in several Australian languages, but why? Nasal pre-stopping likely enhances cues to place of articulation contrasts (Butcher 1999, 2006). Though recent work proposes that lateral pre-stopping does likewise (Keyser & Stevens 2006: footnote 7; Loakes et al. 2008), the supporting argumentation appears unconvincing upon scrutiny. With reference to enhancement theory, articulatory phonology, and articulatory and acoustic phonetics, I speculate on: plausible diachronic sources of pre-stopped nasals via stochastic and functional processes; the extension of pre-stopping to laterals through a drive for regularity in the organisation of gesturally complex segments (Browman & Goldstein 1995; inter alia); and explanations for the asymmetrical prevalence of pre-stopping across places of articulation (Hercus 1972). Both language use and innate universals are crucial.
Abstract
Pre-stopped nasals and laterals occur in several Australian languages, but why? Nasal pre-stopping likely enhances cues to place of articulation contrasts (Butcher 1999, 2006). Though recent work proposes that lateral pre-stopping does likewise (Keyser & Stevens 2006: footnote 7; Loakes et al. 2008), the supporting argumentation appears unconvincing upon scrutiny. With reference to enhancement theory, articulatory phonology, and articulatory and acoustic phonetics, I speculate on: plausible diachronic sources of pre-stopped nasals via stochastic and functional processes; the extension of pre-stopping to laterals through a drive for regularity in the organisation of gesturally complex segments (Browman & Goldstein 1995; inter alia); and explanations for the asymmetrical prevalence of pre-stopping across places of articulation (Hercus 1972). Both language use and innate universals are crucial.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Map of Australian languages refferred to in this book vii
- List of contributors xi
- Editors’ introduction 1
- Bibliography of Mary Laughren 15
- Evaluating the Bilingual Education Program in Warlpiri schools 25
-
Part 1. Phonology
- Phonological aspects of Arandic baby talk 49
- Prestopping of nasals and laterals is only partly parallel 81
-
Part 2. Morphology
- Liminal pronoun systems 99
- Verbs as spatial deixis markers in Jingulu 123
- The reconstruction of inflectional classes in morphology 153
-
Part 3. Syntax
- Marking Definiteness or Specificity, not necessarily both 193
- Theory and experiment in parametric minimalism 217
- Serial verbs in Wambaya 263
- Nominals as adjuncts or arguments 283
-
Part 4. Semantics
- The case of the invisible postman 319
- Manner and result 337
-
Part 5. Anthropological Linguistics
- Shifting relations 361
- Language index 383
- Subject index 385
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Map of Australian languages refferred to in this book vii
- List of contributors xi
- Editors’ introduction 1
- Bibliography of Mary Laughren 15
- Evaluating the Bilingual Education Program in Warlpiri schools 25
-
Part 1. Phonology
- Phonological aspects of Arandic baby talk 49
- Prestopping of nasals and laterals is only partly parallel 81
-
Part 2. Morphology
- Liminal pronoun systems 99
- Verbs as spatial deixis markers in Jingulu 123
- The reconstruction of inflectional classes in morphology 153
-
Part 3. Syntax
- Marking Definiteness or Specificity, not necessarily both 193
- Theory and experiment in parametric minimalism 217
- Serial verbs in Wambaya 263
- Nominals as adjuncts or arguments 283
-
Part 4. Semantics
- The case of the invisible postman 319
- Manner and result 337
-
Part 5. Anthropological Linguistics
- Shifting relations 361
- Language index 383
- Subject index 385
