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An articulatory view of Kinyarwanda coronal harmony
Rachel Walker1, Dani Byrd, Fidèle Mpiranya
1University of Southern California.
Phonology
|December 23, 2009
Summary
Kinyarwanda coronal harmony alters consonant articulation, extending tongue gestures during transparent segments. This phonological process influences speech production without significant perceptual changes.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Phonetics
- Speech Science
Background:
- Coronal harmony in Kinyarwanda affects alveolar fricatives near postalveolar fricatives.
- Certain consonants block this harmony, while others are transparent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the articulatory mechanisms of Kinyarwanda coronal harmony.
- To determine how transparent consonants are affected by this phonological process.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic articulography (EMA) was used to collect kinematic data of consonant production.
- The mean angle of the tongue tip relative to the blade was calculated for consonant intervals.
Main Results:
- Mean angle reliably differentiated alveolar and postalveolar fricatives.
- Transparent non-coronal consonants showed altered tongue tip-blade angles, consistent with extended gestures.
- The consonant [m] exhibited articulatory characteristics similar to postalveolar fricatives during harmony.
Conclusions:
- Kinyarwanda coronal harmony involves an extended continuous tongue tip-blade gesture.
- This gesture is present during transparent segments, explaining the phonological process without audible alteration.
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