On Some Quantitative Properties of Czech ř in Newsreading

Abstract

This research examines the distributional characteristics of Czech ř in terms of the number of contacts (periods). The traditional claim that this consonant is produced with two or more contacts is challenged by the empirical evidence of ř realized in connected speech (newsreading style). The results of the study show that the most common variant of the (ř) variable is a one-contact alveolar sound, with the multiple-contact realization of ř being extremely rare. The role of eight linguistic variables is assessed in order to find out which factors are most likely to influence the number of contacts of Czech ř. Some questions are discussed concerning its current definition as a trill.

Acoustic-Perceptual Factors Both Maintain and Account for the Rarity of the Czech Trill-Fricative

“…Based on the similarity, Howson et al (2015) suggested that the degree of grooving generates acousticperceptual similarities in the frication produced by the two segments. One of the primary points of contrast between /r̝, ʒ/ is trilling, which is often lost during casual speech (Pavlík, 2013). While this may generally play a role in their perceptual confusability, we ensured that the tokens used in the current experiment contained trilling.…”

“…Previous acoustic studies have described the trill-fricative as having 1-2 times more tongue-palate contacts than /r/, which vibrates 1-3 times (Dankovičová, 1997), although it has been noted that the Czech trill-fricative is not always trilled, and its realization is contextually dependant (Pavlík, 2013). The trillfricative induces a much higher spectral tilt on adjacent vowels and a lower F1 compared to the trill, indicating a more open glottal state consistent with breathy voice during production the trill-fricative (Howson et al, 2014).…”