Describing alternative articulations of the Spanish trill /r/ by ultrasound technology

Abstract

The Spanish trill /r/ is typically described as having a single realization-that is, as the result of aerodynamic forces operating on a tongue tip/blade constriction placed midsagittally in the dental, alveolar or postalveolar place of articulation, in such a way that air channels along the sides of the tongue open and close for multiple cycles of vibration. As with American English /r/, this sound is acquired late by typically developing children and is frequently an element in articulatory disorders. As with American English /r/, perceptually equivalent "correct" trill /r/'s may be realized differently by different speakers. Knowledge of these alternate "correct" realizations would clearly be helpful to clinicians and learners of Spanish. In this preliminary study, we report data from ultrasound images of individuals who speak different dialects of Spanish. Preliminary data suggests there are at least two different articulatory postures used when producing the Spanish trill /r/, one of which involves lateralization. These articulatory differences do not affect what native listeners categorize as perceptually correct Spanish trills. © 2013 Acoustical Society of America.