BibTeX
@MISC{Clements_quantalphonetics,
author = {George N. Clements and Rachid Ridouane},
title = {Quantal phonetics and distinctive features},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
This paper reviews some of the basic premises of Quantal-Enhancement Theory as developed by K.N. Stevens and his colleagues. Quantal theory seeks to explain why some articulatory and acoustic dimensions are favored over others in distinctive feature contrasts across languages. In this paper, after a review of basic concepts, a protocol for quantal feature definitions is proposed and problems in the interpretation of vowel features are discussed. The quantal basis of distinctive feature Though most linguists and phoneticians agree that the distinctive features of spoken languages are realized in terms of concrete physical and auditory properties, there is little agreement on exactly how they are defined. According to a tradition launched by Jakobson and his collaborators (for example, Jakobson, Fant and Halle 1952), features are defined mainly in the acoustic (or perhaps auditory) domain. In a second tradition initiated by Chomsky and Halle (1968), features are defined primarily in articulatory
Keyphrases
distinctive feature quantal phonetics acoustic dimension quantal-enhancement theory basic concept auditory property distinctive feature contrast vowel feature spoken language quantal theory seek quantal basis basic premise second tradition little agreement k.n. stevens quantal feature definition
