No abstract

This paper examines the wide spectrum of phonetic properties associated with the phonological distinctions between consonant classes such as /p, t, k/ and /b, d, g/ in a great variety of languages (including languages with multivalued contrasts) and evaluates their relationship to the features [ ± voiced], [ ± aspirated], [ ± fortis]. The discussion separates word-initial, word-medial and word-final positions according to their different production and signalling constraints. A power feature, realized in articulatory timing and/or phonatory power/tension, is set up as the essential differentiator, thus providing a phonetic basis for the fortis/lenis dichotomy. The incorporation of the time dimension into phonology is regarded as a necessary prerequisite to the solution of phonological problems in general and to an adequate treatment of the [ ± voiced] feature in particular, voice onset time being only one temporal aspect.

The analysis of the production of fortis and lenis plosives in German has shown the importance of the duration ratio vowel/ (vowel + closure) for the distinction. To complement these results a perception test was carried out in which 29 native speakers identified a randomised sequence of 220 stimuli from tape as one of the phrases ‘Diese Gruppe kann ich nicht leid(e)n (leit(e)n)’. The stimuli were obtained from the two naturally produced originals by changing the ratios and the length of voicing in the plosive through computer processing. The test results indicate very conclusively that judgment can be reversed simply by changing the ratio to the appropriate ones found in production. There is a hierarchy of perceptual dimensions: duration ratio > formant transition > voicing.

A new research paradigm is applied to F0 synchronization with articulation, inpeak and valley contours, under four principles: (a) Timing of F0 contours enters thedefinitions of the pitch categories. (b) These phonetic exponents are linked to com-municativefunctions. (c) The listener plays a pivotal role. (d) Contextualization oftest stimuli is essential for pitch data collection. Data are presented and interpretedfrom an experimental investigation of the substance-function relationship in theperception of peak and valley shift series by German listeners, using the semanticdifferential technique. The findings of the substance-function relationship areexplained with reference to the frequency codeand to auditory enhancement,i.e.syntagmatic contrast of high-low or low-high pitch trajectories in synchronizationwith articulatory landmarks of accented syllables.

Like any other aspect of spoken language, rhythm needs to be, and has been, studied from four different perspectives for a comprehensive and insightful account of its nature and functioning in speech communication: symbolic representation, production, perception, communicative function. The paper first gives an overview of the milestones in the analysis of rhythm under the headings of these four approaches over the past 70 years. This survey of the development of scientific ideas in rhythm research prepares the ground for the integration of the four strands in an interrelated framework of linguistic and speech signal analysis. On the basis of a definition of rhythm derived from the theoretical and methodological discussion, a new paradigm is outlined for future research, centred on the listener and on communicative function.