Allophonic Variation of Voice

Question 1

What does allophonic mean?

Answer 1

Small differences in consonant (or vowel) sounds that speakers of a language rarely notice (eg. retroflex t)

Question 2

What can change aspects of speech?

Answer 2

1. Context
2. Language
3. Personal choice

Question 3

What is aspiration?

Answer 3

• When air is released during the release phase of a voiceless plosive.
• When voicing of the next sound is delayed (aspirated stop)
• Strong burst of air that accompanies voiceless plosive.

Question 4

When does aspiration occur?

Answer 4

Occurs after a voiceless plosive to the following vowel or approximant. Does not occur if voiceless plosive is after an /s/.

Question 5

Can aspiration occur in multisyllabic words?

Answer 5

Only if voiceless plosive is in syllable initial position.

Question 6

In which language does aspiration change the meaning?

Answer 6

Not in English but in Armenian (kap)

Question 7

Does aspiration occur after an approximant?

Answer 7

Aspiration still occurs and makes the approximant voiceless.

Question 8

If you take away the /s/ from “scrooge” what happens?

Answer 8

It sounds like “grooge”

Question 9

What is the voice onset time?

Answer 9

The release of plosive to start of voicing for vowel. It is longer for voiceless plosives than voiced (60 vs 10)

Question 10

Why is voice onset time useful?

Answer 10

It describes a range of developmental, neuromotor and linguistic disorders.
Aphasia- problems creating differences in VOT.

Question 11

What is pre-aspiration?

Answer 11

Period of aspiration at the end of vowel, liquid or nasal preceding following consonants.