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Allophones used only when singing // was I *almost* understand the IPA!

From:Adrian Morgan <morg0072@...>
Date:Friday, June 28, 2002, 3:50
John Cowan wrote, quoting myself:

> > The vowels [e_j] and [o_w] do not occur in Australian speech, > > but they are common when singing, as allophones of [{I] and [3\}] > > respectively. > > IOW you speak in Australian but sing in American (or Irish).
It's easier to sing monophthongs than diphthongs. I would even hypothesise that if a rich tradition of singing is particularly important to a culture, then that culture will be more likely to evolve a high monophthong:diphthong ratio in its phonology. I suggest the Irish tradition as an example. Adrian. (who owns some comprehensive books on Irish musical traditions - it's quite interesting)