Re: Two retroflex series?

 --- Pablo David Flores skrzypszy:

> >      I would like to add a series of retroflexes to the language. I was
> > wondering if there are any natural languages that distinguish points of
> > articulation between different sets of retroflexes, such as a series of
> > retroflex stops with tounge reaching for top of hard-palate versus a series
> > with toung reaching for soft-palate?
>
> My idea is that the latter are fairly uncomfortable and probably
> not contrastive enough, but am I right?
I think you are right; it is not impossible, but not very convenient. I would
be surprised if no natlang at all had such a feature, but I would be even more
surprised if many natlangs had it.
IMO, those two series of retroflexes can be made in a much easier fashion: by
distinguishing between apical and laminal position of the tongue. That would
work not only for the retroflexes, but also, in particular, for dentals and
alveolars.

Jan

=====
"Originality is the art of concealing your source." - Franklin P. Jones

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