On September 30, 2022
at 13:30,
Jessamyn Schertz will present Factors influencing phonetic imitation and sensitivity: The case of prevoicing.
The Zoom link for the meeting is here. The password will be distributed through the mailing list.
Abstract
The role of prevoicing in word-initial phonologically "voiced" stops /b d g/ differs across languages. In "true voicing" languages like Spanish, prevoicing is obligatory, and is assumed to be the primary cue differentiating these sounds from their voiceless counterparts. In English, prevoicing is in free variation, optional but not obligatory. In Mandarin, prevoicing is never present. My current work examines how language background affects perceptual sensitivity to, and ability to imitate, minimal differences in the presence vs. absence of prevoicing across native and heritage speakers of these three types of languages.