Speech sounds in larger inventories are not (necessarily) less variable.

Area of Science:

• Phonetics and Phonology
• Linguistics
• Speech Science

Background:

• The classic hypothesis posits that larger phonemic inventories lead to reduced phonetic variability.
• Existing literature offers limited support, with null results often unpublished, complicating definitive conclusions.
• Phonetic variability is understood to be influenced by multiple, multifaceted factors.

Approach:

• Review of existing literature on phonetic variability and phonemic inventory size.
• Presentation of a new case study examining cross-linguistic phonetic variability.
• Argument for nuanced theoretical frameworks beyond inventory size.

Key Points:

• Phonemic inventory size alone is an unreliable predictor of phonetic variability.
• Phonological contrast is a more significant factor influencing variability patterns.
• Cross-linguistic phonetic variability is complex and requires multifaceted explanations.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between phonemic inventory size and phonetic variability is not straightforward.
• Nuanced approaches are needed to understand cross-linguistic differences in speech production variability.
• Future research should explore a wider range of factors influencing phonetic variability.