Re: Llirine: introduction and phonology

In a message dated 12/1/01 9:14:25 PM, starner@OKSTATE.EDU writes:

<< Hi. I'm new to this list, and to the actual pratice of conlanging. I'm a

student at Oklahoma State University, majoring in math and computer

science.

 >>

    hilejfat!  Welcome! ~:D

<<Linguistically

important is the fact that they have limited lip movement and a more

constant airflow than humans - hence they can't make plosives or

bilabial sounds. (Is that correct? I have a goal of removing those

sounds, but I don't really know what corresponding physiological changes

would go along.)>>

    A couple things with this.  First of all, nasals are basically plosives
with the air flowing through the nose--so I wouldn't say they can't make
plosives.  Second, there's no reason they wouldn't be able to make stops with
a spread glottis--that is, aspirated stops.  That way air can still flow and
there can still be a stop.  Third, to make a click, you have to have two
complete closures: One at the velum, and another at the point of articulation
ahead of that which is where the click's point of articulation is said to be
(for instance, to make a post alveolar click, you close off the back portion
of the oral cavity by raising your tongue dorsum to the velum and then trap
the air inside by closing off a portion in front of the velum--in this case,
at the alveolar ridge.  When the air that's trapped inside that space is
released, a click is produced).  So, I can't see them being able to produce a
click...  Well, unless there was air flowing out of the nose.  Is that what a
nasalized click is?
    Anyway, I look forward to hearing more.  :)

-David

"s&m raSalo SirejsatIm, spAjs Zi v&TIl dZaGagzaZA."
"If it keeps on rainin', the levee's going to break."
        --Led Zeppelin

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