The Effect of the Interval on VOT Modulation of Voiceless Stops in English

Abstract

This study aims to show that the VOTs of English stops are phonetically influenced by non-local segments. Eight native English speakers (4 females and 4 males) produced nonce words of the forms C 1 V 1 C 2 and C 1 V 1 C 2 VC with variation in the voicing of C 1 and C 2 . Phonetic analysis found, first, that voiceless C 1 -VOT shortening occurs regressively when followed by another voiceless stop across a vowel, but C 2 -VOT is not affected by C 1 . Second, VOT modulation in English voiceless stops is non-local in the sense that the Cs triggering VOT shortening need not be root-adjacent. Third, the interval, which is the distance between the intervening V 1 and C 2 , plays a role in triggering C 1 -VOT shortening. These results support Walter’s (2007) claim that the VOT modulation in English results from the articulatory difficulty associated with repeating laryngeal cues within a short time. They will be discussed in light of phonetic proximity, particularly limits on the distance at which corresponding Cs may occur. Directionality will also be discussed regarding the target of VOT modulation in light of the avoidance of recurrent aspiration.