LINGUIST List 15.303

Tue Jan 27 2004

Qs: Syllable Codas; Mandarin Stops/Aspiration

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Directory

  • Laurie Woods, Phonology
  • Carol L. Tenny, Question: stops in Mandarin

    Message 1: Phonology

     Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:27:38 -0500 (EST)
    From: Laurie Woods <lgw202nyu.edu>
    Subject: Phonology


    I am compiling a list of phonological conditions on syllable codas in the languages of the world, such as the condition in the Australian language Lardil (and also in Finnish) that only coronal consonants can appear in syllable codas. I would appreciate help in this endeavor. Please send me information about languages that have particular restrictions on syllable codas. Many thanks, Laurie Woods

    Message 2: Question: stops in Mandarin

     Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 08:00:03 -0500 (EST)
    From: Carol L. Tenny <tennylinguist.org>
    Subject: Question: stops in Mandarin


    According to Campbell's 'Compendium of World's Languages', Mandarin has the PHONEMES /p,t,k,b,d,g/. However, /b,d,g/ are actually PHONETICALLY UNVOICED. Furthermore /b,d,g/ are unaspirated and /p,t,k/ are aspirated. This means there actually is a contrast between a PRONOUNCED aspirated and unaspirated [p,t,k].

    What does it mean to have voiced phonemes that are always(?) phonetically unvoiced, and more importantly, how can I make my Mandarin speakers in my class understand this?

    I was actually trying to show them that aspiration was contrastive in Mandarin, but they balked because of the /p,b/ problem. Can I show them contrastive aspiration in another way?

    Does this also exist in Shanghai or Cantonese? I also have speakers of these dialects.

    Thank you for any help with extricating me and my class from this confusion.

    Carol Tenny