Mechanisms of stop-consonant release for different places of articulation

Abstract

The burst interval (i.e., VOT) following release of a voiceless unaspirated stop consonant has a duration that is somewhat longer for alveolars than for labials, and substantially longer for velars than for either. In the case of velars, the burst often consists of a sequence of two or more pulses. These facts may be explained in terms of a model which describes the effects of constriction geometry and articulatory kinematics, specific to different places of articulation, on aerodynamic events immediately following stop release. Calculations derived from this model suggest that Bernoulli forces may act on the surface of a compliant occluding articulator as closure is released. Presumably these forces cause a delay in the opening movement of the articulator, and a tendency for its surface to vibrate, that is greater for velars than for alveolars and labials. Measurements of VOT for stop consonants in different languages are described, with detailed data on the incidence of two or more release bursts and the temporal characteristics of those bursts. [Research supported by grants from NINCDS.]