Laryngeal Realism vs. Modulation Theory – evidence from VOT discrimination in Polish. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwartz, Geoffrey; Arndt, Daria
• Is Part Of: Language sciences. Volume 69(2018)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Laryngeal phonology -- Modulation theory -- Polish phonology -- Speech perception -- Laryngeal realism -- Onset prominence; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Periodicals; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Langage et langues -- Périodiques; Language and languages; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langsci.2018.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0388-0001

Abstract

Abstract: A perception study testing Polish listeners' discrimination of the voice-voiceless contrast in stop consonants is presented. Results show that the absence of pre-voicing in /bdg / does not hinder perception of voiced stops in Polish. These findings are presented within a wider discussion of the phonological representation of laryngeal contrasts in languages with two series of consonants. The approach of Laryngeal Realism is compared with a new approach based on the assumptions of Modulation Theory (MT) and couched within the Onset Prominence (OP) representational framework. It is suggested that the MT/OP approach offers an insightful way forward for further study into laryngeal phonology. Highlights: Laryngeal Realism cannot explain certain asymmetries in laryngeal behavior. Onset Prominence incorporates the assumptions of Modulation Theory to offer a new perspective on laryngeal phonology. Polish listeners robustly identify voice contrasts even when pre-voicing is absent from /bdg /. Cues other than VOT appear to play an important role in the perception of voice contrasts in Polish.