Re: Velarization

Kate wrote:
> I'm delurking to ask a question. How horribly selfish. =)
>
> I'm wondering, are there any natural languages that contrast velarized
> consonants with anything *but* palatalized consonants? I'm familiar
> with Russian, and know that velarization versus palatalization is
> relatively common--and now I'm curious about what other things
> velarization might contrast with.
>
> I also know about the English light and dark "l". Is there anything
> else? (Preferably more extensive?)
>
> I'm considering creating a constrast between plain and velarized stops
> in a language I'm working on, but I'm still in the
> hunting-for-inspiration stage.
Albanian comes to mind, although I haven't actually heard it spoken. But
the sound written "ll" is supposed to be a velarized l.

Arabic has a whole set of "emphatic" consonants, which isn't exactly
what you're looking for, but similar.

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