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On distinguishing articulatory configurations and articulatory tasks: Tamil retroflex consonants

Abstract

In the task dynamic model of speech production, articulatory gestures specify the location and degree of a constriction. The actual articulatory configurations necessary to achieve this constriction are not specified, but rather determined primarily by a set of contextual factors that may govern the state of the vocal tract. It is interesting, then, that there is an entire class of consonants, the retroflexes, which are apparently characterized instead by an articulatory maneuver employed in order to achieve contact between the tongue tip and the post-alveolar region of the palate. Does such a classification suggest that retroflexion of the tongue is achieved invariably using that particular articulatory maneuver? If so, what does it mean for the task dynamic model if we can classify these consonants by something other than their constriction task, instead appealing to how an articulator is configured? Tamil (Dravidian) is an ideal …

Date
June 2, 2013
Authors
Caitlin Smith, Michael Proctor, Khalil Iskarous, Louis Goldstein, Shrikanth Narayanan
Journal
Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics
Volume
19
Issue
1
Publisher
AIP Publishing