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The acoustic character of fricated /t/ in Australian English: A comparison with /s/ and /ʃ/

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 November 2009

Mark J. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Cambridge markjjones@cantab.net, kem37@cam.ac.uk
Kirsty McDougall
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Cambridge markjjones@cantab.net, kem37@cam.ac.uk

Abstract

Australian English /t/ has a fricative realisation in some contexts. The presence of an additional surface fricative in the language raises questions about potential merger and the maintenance of contrasts. An orthographic representation of fricated /t/ as 〈sh〉 suggests a similarity to the existing fricative /ʃ/. This paper compares the acoustic characteristics of fricated realisations of /t/ in Australian English with those of /ʃ/ and /s/, the fricatives judged most likely to be acoustically similar. The findings suggest a great degree of similarity to /ʃ/ in terms of spectral measures, with duration being the most likely perceptual means of distinguishing fricated /t/ from /ʃ/.

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Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Phonetic Association 2009

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