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Presentation
Acceptability of Variation in Modern Hebrew Spirantization
Linguistic Society of America Annual Meeting (2009)
  • Michal Temkin Martinez, Boise State University
Abstract
Modern Hebrew spirantization is an allophonic distribution where the stops [p], [b], and [k] regularly alternate with [f], [v], and [x], respectively, with the fricatives surfacing post-vocalically. There are exceptions to spirantization, with stops occurring post-vocalically and fricatives surfacing elsewhere. Additionally, variation has been attested in the regularly alternating pairs. Seventy-four native Hebrew speakers rated the acceptability of variation in regularly alternating pairs and exceptional segments. Results showed that, as hypothesized, variation was less natural than the expected form of a given word. Furthermore, variation in exceptional segments was rated less natural than variation in regularly alternating segments.
Disciplines
Publication Date
January, 2009
Citation Information
Michal Temkin Martinez. "Acceptability of Variation in Modern Hebrew Spirantization" Linguistic Society of America Annual Meeting (2009)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michal_martinez/3/