Gussman-phonology (2)

Phonological Regularities and the Velar Nasal in English

3.2 The Velar Nasal Consonant

  • The velar nasal (/ŋ/) is a significant phonetic feature in English, with distinct behaviors in different dialects.

Domain-internal vs. Domain-final Positions

  • Domain-internal:

    • Can occur at the end of a syllable, followed by voiceless velar plosive /k/ (e.g., "wink" vs. "wing").

    • Cannot follow the voiced velar plosive /g/ in RP; sequences like [ŋg] are not allowed.

  • Domain-final:

    • Appears at the end of words without following any plosive, resulting in sequences [ŋk].

    • Example: [ŋ] in "hung" (correct) vs. [ŋg] (incorrect).

Comparison of Examples

  • Words: wing [wɪŋ] vs. wink [wɪŋk]

    • First member (wing) lacks a /k/; second member (wink) includes it.

  • Other Examples:

    • mill [mɪl] vs. milk [mɪlk]

    • These pairs illustrate the absence of certain consonants in specific environments.

Characteristics of the Velar Nasal

  • Linking with Following Plosives:

    • The velar nasal must be followed by a velar plosive (/k/) domain-internally, establishing a phonetic bond.

  • Graphical Representation:

    • Structure suggests two skeletal slots sharing a property (velarity) across the consonantal cluster.

  • Complexity:

    • The velar nasal is viewed as a complex sound due to its shared place of articulation with following plosives.

Dialectal Variation

  • Variations in the treatment of the velar nasal in two varieties: British Midlands and Scottish.

    • Midlands (M): Supports /ŋ/ before voiced plosives in both internal and final positions.

    • Scottish (S): /ŋ/ cannot precede a vowel or appear finally.

Implications for Domain Structure

  • Domain boundaries often align with morphological divisions, affecting phonological patterns.

  • Complex morphological structures might display phonological unity, while some simple morphemes may act as complex domains.

Final Observations on the Velar Nasal

  • The velar nasal always serves as the first element in a consonantal cluster rather than functioning independently.

  • Differences in treatment of the velar nasal across dialects indicate phonological variation related to domain structure.

3.3 Preaspiration in Modern Icelandic

  • The act of preaspiration involves the insertion of a glottal sound before certain consonantal sequences, specifically with aspirated plosives in Icelandic.

Understanding Syllables

  • Syllable Structure:

    • Contains an onset (optional) followed by a nucleus (obligatory).

    • Nuclei must typically branch (i.e., two skeletal slots in English).

    • Non-branching nuclei are not permitted in stressed syllables.

Empty Onsets in French

  • h-aspire vs. h-muet: illustrates the existence of empty onsets that can affect phonological rules affecting vowel pronunciation.

Final Thoughts on Phonological Regularities

  • Phonological regularities highlight relationships within phonological domains.

  • Domains help uncover unexpected phonological behavior within structures that are complex morphologically.