Re: ejective stops

On Oct 20, 2004, at 4:23 PM, Rene Uittenbogaard wrote:

> I've been trying to find out what ejective stops are, and what I
> understand from reading the definitions on the web is this:
>
> to pronounce a bilabial ejective [p_>], one first shuts off the air
> stream at the glottis and at the lips. Then, using your tongue, you
> build up air pressure and release the lips, which makes the [p_>]
> sound.
>
> Q1. Is this interpretation correct? Or should both closures be released
> at the same time?
Air pressure is created by raising the larynx (with the closed
glottis), not by using the tongue.

> If the above interpretation is correct:
> Q2. If a vowel follows after the ejective, the glottis must immediately
> open again. When I practice this, this invariantly sounds like a
> glottal
> stop, e.g. [p_>?a]. Is this acceptible?
It approximates the effect of an ejective, but it's not the same. I
suppose it's up to you whether you consider that to be acceptable. The
vowel will be slightly glottalized, but this is just a matter of
timing; it takes a few milliseconds to go from closed (and compressed)
vocal folds to regular vocal fold vibration.

Dirk
--
Dirk Elzinga
Dirk_Elzinga@byu.edu

"I believe that phonology is superior to music. It is more variable and
its pecuniary possibilities are far greater." - Erik Satie