Complex sounds and cross-language influence: The case of ejectives in Omani Mehri

Abstract

Ejective consonants are known to considerably vary both cross-linguistically and within individual languages. This variability is often considered a consequence of the complex articulatory strategies involved in their production. Because they are complex, they might be particularly prone to sound change, especially under cross-language influence. In this study, we consider the production of ejectives in Mehri, a Semitic endangered language spoken in Oman where considerable influence from Arabic is expected. We provide acoustic data from seven speakers producing a list of items contrasting ejective and pulmonic alveolar and velar stops in word-initial (/#—/), word-medial (V—V), and word-final (V—#) positions. Different durational and non-durational correlates were examined. The relative importance of these correlates was quantified by the calculation of D-prime values for each. The key empirical finding is that the parameters used to signal ejectivity differ depending mainly on whether the stop is alveolar or velar. Specifically, ejective alveolar stops display characteristics of pharyngealization, similar to Arabic, but velars still maintain attributes of ejectivity in some word positions. We interpret these results as diagnostic of the sound change that is currently in progress, coupled with an ongoing context-dependent neutralization.