27 Mar 2007

Natalia Zharkova (QMUC)

The Degree of Articulatory Constraint (DAC) model is the only existing model that includes quantification in a theory of coarticulation. The DAC model is largely based on EPG and acoustic data. This study proposes a method for measuring coarticulation, based on midsagittal ultrasound data. V-on-C and C-on-V coarticulation were analysed, using data from Southern British English symmetrical VCV sequences. Tongue curve comparison was based on nearest neighbour calculations. V-on-C effect was measured by comparing tongue contours for the consonant /t/ in /ata/ and /iti/ sequences. C-on-V1 and C-on-V2 effects were measured by comparing tongue contours for the vowel /a/ in /aka/ and /ata/ sequences, separately for the first and the second vowel. All three effects were significant. The V-on-C effect was significantly greater than both C-on-V effects. The C-on-V2 effect was greater than the C-on-V1 effect, and in two subjects the difference was significant. The actual distance measures could be used as a basis for improving the DAC classification.

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