F0 ALIGNMENT PATTERNS IN ARABIC DIALECTS

Mohamed Yeou1, Mohamed Embarki2, Sallal Al Maqtari3 & Christelle Dodane4
1Université Chouaib Doukkali, El jadida; 2Praxiling UMR 5267 CNRS-Montpellier III; 3Université de Sanaa; 4Université Franche-Comté, Besançon

ID 1173
[full paper]

A comparison of F0 alignment values was carried out for three Arabic dialects (Moroccan Arabic, Kuwaiti Arabic and Yemeni Arabic) using five speakers from each variety. Clear differences found in peak and valley alignments enable separation of Moroccan Arabic from the two other dialects: (1) values of the F0 valley differed significantly, with Moroccan Arabic showing a later synchronisation than Kuwaiti Arabic and Yemeni Arabic; (2) there was variation as to the effect of syllable structure on F0 peaks. The effect is not significant in Yemeni Arabic and Kuwaiti Arabic as the F0 peak is aligned within the stressed vowel in both CV: and CV:C. In Moroccan Arabic, however, the effect of syllable structure is significant: the F0 peak is earlier in closed syllables than open syllables.