Retroflex versus Bunched [r] in Compensation for Coarticulation

Abstract

This paper presents data from two experiments that are problematic for the auditory spectral contrast theory of compensation for coarticulation, but are perfectly compatible with the gesture recovery theory. The experiments compare compensation for coarticulation effects in the perception of a [dɑ]-[ɡɑ] continuum produced by retroflex [r] context, versus the lack of an effect for a bunched [r] context. The key acoustic feature referenced by the spectral contrast theory (the lowered F3) is present in both bunched and retroflex [r]. In experiment 2, the F4 trajectory (a key acoustic correlate of retroflexion) is seen to modulate compensation for coarticulation.