UltraFest III, University of Arizona 4/16/05 A study of pre-liquid excrescent schwa in English Adam Baker, Diana Archangeli, Jeff Mielke University of

UltraFest III, University of ArizonUltraFest III, University of Arizona 4/16/05a 4/16/05

A study of pre-liquid excrescent A study of pre-liquid excrescent schwa in Englishschwa in English

Adam Baker, Diana Archangeli, Jeff MielkeAdam Baker, Diana Archangeli, Jeff Mielke

University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

Supported by Supported by

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of ArizonaCollege of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona

James S. McDonnell Foundation #220020045 BBMBJames S. McDonnell Foundation #220020045 BBMB

UltraFest III, University of ArizonUltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05a, 4/16/05

Excrescent SchwaExcrescent Schwa

Excrescent schwa is a schwa percept Excrescent schwa is a schwa percept created between liquids and high created between liquids and high vowels and glides.vowels and glides.

The “extra” vowel in: ‘feel’ and ‘file’The “extra” vowel in: ‘feel’ and ‘file’ Also: ‘fear’ and ‘fire’Also: ‘fear’ and ‘fire’ Various accounts exist in the Various accounts exist in the

theoretical phonology literature.theoretical phonology literature.


An articulatory explanation?An articulatory explanation?

Gick & Wilson (2005) assume the Gick & Wilson (2005) assume the vowel has no phonological status.vowel has no phonological status.

Rather the schwa is articulated Rather the schwa is articulated incidentally in the transition between incidentally in the transition between a high vowel/glide (with an advanced a high vowel/glide (with an advanced root) and a liquid (with a retracted root) and a liquid (with a retracted root).root).

Pilot data corroborated this claim. Pilot data corroborated this claim.


Present StudyPresent Study

Our goal was to follow up on Gick & Our goal was to follow up on Gick & Wilson’s (2005) pilot.Wilson’s (2005) pilot.

Three modificationsThree modifications perform a full study (ten subjects, 8 so far)perform a full study (ten subjects, 8 so far) correct for head and transducer movement correct for head and transducer movement

using the Palatron system (Mielke et al. using the Palatron system (Mielke et al. 2005)2005)

include /r/ in analysis (so that all liquids include /r/ in analysis (so that all liquids were represented)were represented)


Notes on assumptionsNotes on assumptions

This approach assumes that the This approach assumes that the liquid is in coda position – and that liquid is in coda position – and that there is no underlying schwa.there is no underlying schwa. /// not // not // or // or ///

We will interpret our results We will interpret our results assuming the first, although our assuming the first, although our experimental design does not rest on experimental design does not rest on this assumption.this assumption.


MethodsMethods

Data CollectionData Collection Subjects were recruited from a 100-Subjects were recruited from a 100-

level introductory linguistics course.level introductory linguistics course. none were speakers of a pre-liquid vowel none were speakers of a pre-liquid vowel

laxing dialectlaxing dialect They sat in a quiet roomThey sat in a quiet room

in an ophthalmic exam chairin an ophthalmic exam chair with head stabilization, and point-trackingwith head stabilization, and point-tracking


MethodsMethods

Subjects were given a glass of water Subjects were given a glass of water to improve image quality.to improve image quality.

The list of tokens was rehearsed The list of tokens was rehearsed once to check for pronunciation once to check for pronunciation errors.errors.

Palate images were captured (soy Palate images were captured (soy yogurt) at the beginning of the yogurt) at the beginning of the experiment.experiment.


MethodsMethods

Tokens were of the form Tokens were of the form peelpeel, , peerpeer, , peedpeed, , peepapeepa, where the vowel was one of {, where the vowel was one of {, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , } (aside from } (aside from phonologically illicit forms, e.g. [phonologically illicit forms, e.g. [])])

Frame “Pop is a _____”Frame “Pop is a _____” List was read five times.List was read five times. Quick, rhythmic reading was encouraged.Quick, rhythmic reading was encouraged.


MethodsMethods

Selecting FramesSelecting Frames For schwa, the frame at the extreme of For schwa, the frame at the extreme of

the gesture was selected.the gesture was selected. For other vowels, the frame at the For other vowels, the frame at the

extreme of the gesture, or at the extreme of the gesture, or at the beginning of a diphthong, was selected.beginning of a diphthong, was selected. Nine subsequent frames were extracted to Nine subsequent frames were extracted to

capture the consonant transition as well.capture the consonant transition as well.


MethodsMethods

Video frames were deinterlaced, and Video frames were deinterlaced, and then corrected for head and transducer then corrected for head and transducer movement (Palatron).movement (Palatron).

For schwas, the better image of the For schwas, the better image of the even or odd frame was chosen.even or odd frame was chosen.

For other vowels, the both the even and For other vowels, the both the even and odd images were included in the image odd images were included in the image sequence (in the order: even, odd).sequence (in the order: even, odd).


MethodsMethods

Frame sequences were examined with Frame sequences were examined with the ImageStack feature of ImageJ.the ImageStack feature of ImageJ.

(Wayne Rasband, NIH)(Wayne Rasband, NIH) this was useful for viewing an animation of this was useful for viewing an animation of

images from the odd and even framesimages from the odd and even frames creation of the image stacks was automated creation of the image stacks was automated

with little difficulty with an ImageJ plugin.with little difficulty with an ImageJ plugin.


MethodsMethods

AnalysisAnalysis First, the schwa productions were First, the schwa productions were

reviewed to determine each subject’s reviewed to determine each subject’s canonical schwa posture.canonical schwa posture. schwa postures generally consistentschwa postures generally consistent

Vowel-consonant transition Vowel-consonant transition sequences were then examined to sequences were then examined to look for the canonical schwa posture.look for the canonical schwa posture.


MethodsMethods

Each VC transition was classified as:Each VC transition was classified as: having a schwahaving a schwa not having a schwanot having a schwa having a marginal schwa (being quite having a marginal schwa (being quite

similar to schwa but not entirely the similar to schwa but not entirely the same)same)

There was no statistical test.There was no statistical test.


ResultsResults

Stop ContextStop Context As expected, the As expected, the p_dp_d context did not context did not

elicit a schwa posture after high vowels.elicit a schwa posture after high vowels. podpod displayed a schwa consistently for displayed a schwa consistently for

one subject, marginally for two others.one subject, marginally for two others. We didn’t hear a schwa.We didn’t hear a schwa. Root advancement preceded tip raising.Root advancement preceded tip raising.


ResultsResults

Rhotic ContextRhotic Context Schwa was almost entirely absent from Schwa was almost entirely absent from

the rhotic productions.the rhotic productions. poirpoir (1 subject, 1 token) (1 subject, 1 token) pirepire (1 subj. 5 marg., for another 1 marg.) (1 subj. 5 marg., for another 1 marg.)

The tongue body immediately began to The tongue body immediately began to assume the bunched or retroflexed assume the bunched or retroflexed posture, which looks nothing like a posture, which looks nothing like a schwa.schwa.


ResultsResults

Lateral ContextLateral Context All subjects had some schwas in All subjects had some schwas in peelpeel 7 of 8 for 7 of 8 for pilepile at least marginally at least marginally 5 of 8 had good schwas in 5 of 8 had good schwas in palepale 4 of 8 in 4 of 8 in pellpell at least marginally at least marginally 4 of 8 in 4 of 8 in pillpill at least marginally. at least marginally. 2 of 8 for 2 of 8 for poilpoil

Full Marginal None

peel 73% 8% 19%

pale 47% 23% 30%

pill 18% 15% 67%

pile 14% 32% 54%

pell 14% 14% 71%

pal 14% 11% 75%

powl 8% 5% 86%

poil 8% 3% 89%

pearl 0% 11% 89%

paul 0% 0% 100%

pole 0% 0% 100%

pool 0% 0% 100%


DiscussionDiscussion

Canonical schwa was not observedCanonical schwa was not observed but there are likely other tongue postures but there are likely other tongue postures

that create a schwa vowelthat create a schwa vowel We only observed the midsaggital We only observed the midsaggital

plane.plane. This issue could be addressed with This issue could be addressed with

volumetric imaging.volumetric imaging.


Other resultsOther results

Bunching and RetroflexionBunching and Retroflexion These strategies for making [These strategies for making [] are often ] are often

thought to be particular to the individual.thought to be particular to the individual. We found alternation within individuals, We found alternation within individuals,

sometimes within items.sometimes within items. This suggests that bunching and This suggests that bunching and

retroflexion are not unrelated retroflexion are not unrelated articulations of [articulations of [].].


Other resultsOther results

I hypothesize that bunching and I hypothesize that bunching and retroflexion are retroflexion are

From Takemoto (2001)


DiscussionDiscussion

Then it would make sense that Then it would make sense that bunching and retroflexion should co-bunching and retroflexion should co-occur, if there were a reason for inferior occur, if there were a reason for inferior longitudinalis not to be contracted.longitudinalis not to be contracted.

This hypothesis could be tested with This hypothesis could be tested with electromyography or biomechanical electromyography or biomechanical modeling.modeling.

Documents

UltraFest III, University of Arizona 4/16/05 A study of pre-liquid excrescent schwa in English Adam Baker, Diana Archangeli, Jeff Mielke University of