Phrase final lengthening modulates categorization of vowel length as a cue to obstruent voicing in English

Abstract

This study explores how perceptual sensitivities to contextual variability might extend to prosodically conditioned variation, a recent topic of interest in the literature. In English, vowel duration is reliably longer preceding a voiced obstruent, as opposed to a voiceless obstruent, and listeners use preceding length as a cue to obstruent voicing. Segmental duration also co-varies systematically with prosodic position, being longer phrase-finally (in phrase-final lengthening). With this in mind, The present study tested the extent to which listeners’ categorization of word-final obstruents is influenced by the prosodic position of the target sound. Participants heard a continuum that varied only in vowel length, and categorized stimuli as either “coat” or “code”. Prosodic position in a carrier phrase was manipulated by splicing the target word into either a phrase-final or phrase-medial context. Results suggest expectations about phrase-final lengthening shift categorization, with significantly longer vowel durations required in phrase-final position for a “code” response. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for further research and in relation to speech rate normalization.This study explores how perceptual sensitivities to contextual variability might extend to prosodically conditioned variation, a recent topic of interest in the literature. In English, vowel duration is reliably longer preceding a voiced obstruent, as opposed to a voiceless obstruent, and listeners use preceding length as a cue to obstruent voicing. Segmental duration also co-varies systematically with prosodic position, being longer phrase-finally (in phrase-final lengthening). With this in mind, The present study tested the extent to which listeners’ categorization of word-final obstruents is influenced by the prosodic position of the target sound. Participants heard a continuum that varied only in vowel length, and categorized stimuli as either “coat” or “code”. Prosodic position in a carrier phrase was manipulated by splicing the target word into either a phrase-final or phrase-medial context. Results suggest expectations about phrase-final lengthening shift categorization, with significantly longer v...