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The perceptual distinctiveness of the [n-l] contrast in different vowel and tonal contexts
Pauline Bolin Liu1, Mingxing Li1
1Academy of Language and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, Chinapaulinelbolin@gmail.com, mingxingli@hkbu.edu.hk.
Abstract:
This study investigates the relative perceptual distinction of the [n] vs [l] contrast in different vowel contexts ([_a] vs [_i]) and tonal contexts (high-initial such as HH, HL, vs low-initial such as LL, LH). The results of two speeded AX discrimination experiments indicated that a [n-l] contrast is perceptually more distinct in the [_a] context and with a high-initial tone. The results are consistent with the typology of the [n] vs [l] contrast across Chinese dialects, which is more frequently observed in the [_a] context and with a high-initial tone, supporting a connection between phonological typology and perceptual distinctiveness.
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