Cross-generational acoustic comparisons of tonal Kyungsang Korean stops

Abstract

Under sound change of stops in Kyungsang Korean, this study examined how the voice onset time (VOT) and F0 cues to the aspirated-lenis stop contrast were used in the productions of children, teenagers, young adults, and elderly speakers. Results showed that the three younger groups were more innovative in using VOT than the elderly speakers, but the use of F0 was not as innovative as the use of VOT. This study suggests that although there is some difference between Seoul and Kyungsang Korean, the sound change in Kyungsang Korean stops is incrementally similar to the change in Seoul Korean stops.