Georgian syllables uncentered

Abstract

Both sonority, via the Sonority Sequencing Principle (SSP), and timing, via the coupled oscillator model advanced within Articulatory Phonology (AP), have been invoked to define the syllable as a unit. Georgian presents challenges for both definitions. The irrelevance of the SSP for Georgian phonotactics is well documented, while it is unclear whether Georgian displays the AP-predicted timing pattern of syllable onsets, i.e., the c-center effect. We investigate the relationship between sonority shape and global timing in complex onsets in Georgian by the means of a series of Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) experiments. We use two measures of global timing, i.e., rightward shift of prenuclear consonant gesture and c-center stability, both relative to an anchor point in the vowel. Contrary to predictions, neither measure supports a c-center effect for Georgian syllables Coordination is not affected by sonority shape, although sonority is reflected in patterns of overlap. We discuss these results in relationship to the phonological and morphological profile of Georgian and suggest that the absence of the c-center effect is possible given Georgian’s permissive phonotactics, and aids in the formation of morphologically complex words. Typological extensions of this account are made.