Sulcalization (fromLatin:sulcus 'groove'), inphonetics, is the pronunciation of a sound with a deep, longitudinal concavity (groove) down the back of thetongue (the dorsum), roughly opposite of theuvula.[1][2] This is accomplished by raising the sides of the dorsum, and leaving a hollow along the mid-line.[3][4]
No spoken language is known to make aphonemic distinction between sulcalized and ordinary vowels;[4] though it has been reported that for some speakers ofReceived Pronunciation, the vowel/ɒ/, which is normally described asrounded, is pronounced with spread lips, and is instead given its characteristic quality through a "hollowing or sulcalization of the tongue-body."[11] One scholar has also suggested that the vowel in the RP pronunciation of words likebird, typically transcribed/ɜː/, is actually a sulcal schwa, retaining the sulcality of the original rhotic consonant. Accordingly, the realization of the/ə/-element of the centring diphthongs/ɪə̯/,/ʊə̯/,/ɛə̯/ in words such asnear,pure andscare, is interpreted as the product of a loss of sulcality.[9]
Palatograms of[s], which is grooved, and[θ], which is slit
Some linguists have referred togrooved fricatives, a similar but distinct articulatory concept, assulcalized,[1][13] though this should not be confused with the more common definition described in the section above.[a] Contrasting withslit fricatives, which are pronounced with the tongue flat,grooved fricatives also involve forming a groove down the center of the tongue (such as in some realizations of/s/ in theEnglish wordssit andcase).[13]
Unlike the more common definition ofsulcalization, grooved fricatives involve the sides of the tongue focusing the airstream on the teeth, producing a more intense sound, typically associated withsibilants.[14][1]J. C. Catford observed that the degree of tongue grooving differs between places of articulation as well as between languages;[15] however, no language is known to contrast sibilants based purely on the presence or absence of tongue grooving.
Ultrasound imaging has shown/θ/ to exhibit tongue grooving in English, despite being typically regarded as slit.[16]
^Ladefoged & Maddieson (1996), p. 367 appear to combine these two concepts, despite the majority of other linguists using them in different phonological and phonetic contexts, includingCatford (1982), their primary reference for their description. Catford refers to the two concepts in different sections of his work, and does not treat them as synonymous.
Erickson, Blaine (2003). "On the development of Englishr". In Minkova, Donka; Stockwell, Robert (eds.).Studies in the History of the English Language: A Millennial Perspective. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 183–206.doi:10.1515/9783110197143.2.183.ISBN978-3-11-017368-0.
Mott, Brian Leonard (2011).English Phonetics and Phonology for Spanish Speakers. Universitat. Vol. 49 (2a ed.). Publicacions i Edicions (Universitat de Barcelona). p. 56.ISBN9788447535040.
Nolan, Francis (1988). "2.2 Vowels".Journal of the International Phonetic Association.18 (2):69–74.JSTOR44526002.
