Coarticulation of Nasal Vowels in Monguor Language

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to discuss the coarticulation of nasal vowels in Monguor language. On the base of acoustic parameter database of the Monguor speech, the study discusses the differences in the coarticulatory dispersions between the nasal vowels [ɑ] and [ɔ] and the locus equation slopes of the unaspirated stops by the following nasal vowels [ɑ] and [ɔ]. The results show that, in Monguor language, the coarticulatory dispersion of [ɑ] is significantly higher than that of [ɔ]. The locus of the bilabial or apical, but not for the velar, unaspirated stops can be calculated by means of the locus equation. The slope of the velar is the highest, and that of the apical is the lowest.