WEAK CLICKS IN GERMAN?

Susanne Fuchs1, Laura Koenig2 & Ralf Winkler3
1ZAS Berlin; 2Haskins Laboratories New Haven; 3TU Berlin

ID 1678
[full paper]

We investigated alveolar-velar stop sequences in connected speech processes in order to understand the potential articulatory and aerodynamic causes for the alveolar weakening, often discussed with respect to assimilation. We will also shed light on the potential click-nature of these sequences as suggested in the literature. By means of a new experimental set-up which allowed us to monitor tongue-palatal contact patterns simultaneously with intraoral pressure variations 8 German native speakers were recorded. Temporal results and relative burst intensities were obtained from acoustic data, the potential overlap of alveolar and velar movements was obtained by tongue palatal contact patterns in the anterior and posterior regions, and a brief period of pressure rarefaction at alveolar release (negative pressure) was taken as evidence for clicks. On the basis of these data speaker specific evidence is provided for weak clicks in German.