1. UltraFest III, University of Arizona 4/16/05 A study of pre-liquid excrescent schwa in English Adam Baker, Diana Archangeli, Jeff Mielke University of Arizona Supported by College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona James S. McDonnell Foundation #220020045 BBMB

2. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Excrescent Schwa Excrescent schwa is a schwa percept created between liquids and high vowels and glides. Excrescent schwa is a schwa percept created between liquids and high vowels and glides. The “extra” vowel in: ‘feel’ and ‘file’ The “extra” vowel in: ‘feel’ and ‘file’ Also: ‘fear’ and ‘fire’ Also: ‘fear’ and ‘fire’ Various accounts exist in the theoretical phonology literature. Various accounts exist in the theoretical phonology literature.

3. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 An articulatory explanation? Gick & Wilson (2005) assume the vowel has no phonological status. Gick & Wilson (2005) assume the vowel has no phonological status. Rather the schwa is articulated incidentally in the transition between a high vowel/glide (with an advanced root) and a liquid (with a retracted root). Rather the schwa is articulated incidentally in the transition between a high vowel/glide (with an advanced root) and a liquid (with a retracted root). Pilot data corroborated this claim. Pilot data corroborated this claim.

4. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Present Study Our goal was to follow up on Gick & Wilson’s (2005) pilot. Our goal was to follow up on Gick & Wilson’s (2005) pilot. Three modifications Three modifications perform a full study (ten subjects, 8 so far) perform a full study (ten subjects, 8 so far) correct for head and transducer movement using the Palatron system (Mielke et al. 2005) correct for head and transducer movement using the Palatron system (Mielke et al. 2005) include /r/ in analysis (so that all liquids were represented) include /r/ in analysis (so that all liquids were represented)

5. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Notes on assumptions This approach assumes that the liquid is in coda position – and that there is no underlying schwa. This approach assumes that the liquid is in coda position – and that there is no underlying schwa. / pajl / not / paj  l / or / pajl  / / pajl / not / paj  l / or / pajl  / We will interpret our results assuming the first, although our experimental design does not rest on this assumption. We will interpret our results assuming the first, although our experimental design does not rest on this assumption.

6. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Data Collection Subjects were recruited from a 100-level introductory linguistics course. Subjects were recruited from a 100-level introductory linguistics course. none were speakers of a pre-liquid vowel laxing dialect none were speakers of a pre-liquid vowel laxing dialect They sat in a quiet room They sat in a quiet room in an ophthalmic exam chair in an ophthalmic exam chair with head stabilization, and point-tracking with head stabilization, and point-tracking

7. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Subjects were given a glass of water to improve image quality. Subjects were given a glass of water to improve image quality. The list of tokens was rehearsed once to check for pronunciation errors. The list of tokens was rehearsed once to check for pronunciation errors. Palate images were captured (soy yogurt) at the beginning of the experiment. Palate images were captured (soy yogurt) at the beginning of the experiment.

8. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Tokens were of the form peel, peer, peed, peepa, where the vowel was one of { , , , , , , , , , ,  } (aside from phonologically illicit forms, e.g. [ p  ]) Tokens were of the form peel, peer, peed, peepa, where the vowel was one of { , , , , , , , , , ,  } (aside from phonologically illicit forms, e.g. [ p  ]) Frame “Pop is a _____” Frame “Pop is a _____” List was read five times. List was read five times. Quick, rhythmic reading was encouraged. Quick, rhythmic reading was encouraged.

9. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Selecting Frames For schwa, the frame at the extreme of the gesture was selected. For schwa, the frame at the extreme of the gesture was selected. For other vowels, the frame at the extreme of the gesture, or at the beginning of a diphthong, was selected. For other vowels, the frame at the extreme of the gesture, or at the beginning of a diphthong, was selected. Nine subsequent frames were extracted to capture the consonant transition as well. Nine subsequent frames were extracted to capture the consonant transition as well.

10. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Video frames were deinterlaced, and then corrected for head and transducer movement (Palatron). Video frames were deinterlaced, and then corrected for head and transducer movement (Palatron). For schwas, the better image of the even or odd frame was chosen. For schwas, the better image of the even or odd frame was chosen. For other vowels, the both the even and odd images were included in the image sequence (in the order: even, odd). For other vowels, the both the even and odd images were included in the image sequence (in the order: even, odd).

11. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Frame sequences were examined with the ImageStack feature of ImageJ. Frame sequences were examined with the ImageStack feature of ImageJ. (Wayne Rasband, NIH) this was useful for viewing an animation of images from the odd and even frames this was useful for viewing an animation of images from the odd and even frames creation of the image stacks was automated with little difficulty with an ImageJ plugin. creation of the image stacks was automated with little difficulty with an ImageJ plugin.

12. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Analysis First, the schwa productions were reviewed to determine each subject’s canonical schwa posture. First, the schwa productions were reviewed to determine each subject’s canonical schwa posture. schwa postures generally consistent schwa postures generally consistent Vowel-consonant transition sequences were then examined to look for the canonical schwa posture. Vowel-consonant transition sequences were then examined to look for the canonical schwa posture.

13. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Methods Each VC transition was classified as: Each VC transition was classified as: having a schwa having a schwa not having a schwa not having a schwa having a marginal schwa (being quite similar to schwa but not entirely the same) having a marginal schwa (being quite similar to schwa but not entirely the same) There was no statistical test. There was no statistical test.

14. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Results Stop Context As expected, the p_d context did not elicit a schwa posture after high vowels. As expected, the p_d context did not elicit a schwa posture after high vowels. pod displayed a schwa consistently for one subject, marginally for two others. pod displayed a schwa consistently for one subject, marginally for two others. We didn’t hear a schwa. We didn’t hear a schwa. Root advancement preceded tip raising. Root advancement preceded tip raising.

15. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Results Rhotic Context Schwa was almost entirely absent from the rhotic productions. Schwa was almost entirely absent from the rhotic productions. poir (1 subject, 1 token) poir (1 subject, 1 token) pire (1 subj. 5 marg., for another 1 marg.) pire (1 subj. 5 marg., for another 1 marg.) The tongue body immediately began to assume the bunched or retroflexed posture, which looks nothing like a schwa. The tongue body immediately began to assume the bunched or retroflexed posture, which looks nothing like a schwa.

16. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Results Lateral Context All subjects had some schwas in peel All subjects had some schwas in peel 7 of 8 for pile at least marginally 7 of 8 for pile at least marginally 5 of 8 had good schwas in pale 5 of 8 had good schwas in pale 4 of 8 in pell at least marginally 4 of 8 in pell at least marginally 4 of 8 in pill at least marginally. 4 of 8 in pill at least marginally. 2 of 8 for poil 2 of 8 for poil

17. FullMarginalNone peel73%8%19% pale47%23%30% pill18%15%67% pile14%32%54% pell14% 71% pal14%11%75% powl8%5%86% poil8%3%89% pearl0%11%89% paul0% 100% pole0% 100% pool0% 100%

18. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Discussion Canonical schwa was not observed Canonical schwa was not observed but there are likely other tongue postures that create a schwa vowel but there are likely other tongue postures that create a schwa vowel We only observed the midsaggital plane. We only observed the midsaggital plane. This issue could be addressed with volumetric imaging. This issue could be addressed with volumetric imaging.

19. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Other results Bunching and Retroflexion These strategies for making [  ] are often thought to be particular to the individual. These strategies for making [  ] are often thought to be particular to the individual. We found alternation within individuals, sometimes within items. We found alternation within individuals, sometimes within items. This suggests that bunching and retroflexion are not unrelated articulations of [  ]. This suggests that bunching and retroflexion are not unrelated articulations of [  ].

20. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Other results I hypothesize that bunching and retroflexion are I hypothesize that bunching and retroflexion are From Takemoto (2001)

21. UltraFest III, University of Arizona, 4/16/05 Discussion Then it would make sense that bunching and retroflexion should co-occur, if there were a reason for inferior longitudinalis not to be contracted. Then it would make sense that bunching and retroflexion should co-occur, if there were a reason for inferior longitudinalis not to be contracted. This hypothesis could be tested with electromyography or biomechanical modeling. This hypothesis could be tested with electromyography or biomechanical modeling.