Articulatory correlates of consonantal length contrasts: The case of Japanese mimetic geminates.

Abstract

This study investigates the articulatory correlates of consonantal length contrasts in Japanese mimetic words using electromagnetic articulography data. Regression and dynamic time warping analyses applied to intragestural timing, kinematic properties, and intergestural timing reveal that Japanese geminates are characterized by longer closure phases, longer gestural plateaus, higher tongue tip positions, larger movements, and lower stiffness. Geminates also exhibit distinct timing relationships with adjacent vowels, specifically, longer times to target that allow for longer preceding vowels. These findings shed light on the articulatory mechanisms underlying Japanese geminate production, their relationship to acoustics, and their characterization in a broader cross-linguistic perspective.