PHRASE BOUNDARIES AND PEAK ALIGNMENT: AN ACOUSTIC AND ARTICULATORY STUDY

Doris Mücke & Anne Hermes
IfL Phonetik, University of Cologne

ID 1187
[full paper]

The present study investigates the effect of an upcoming phrase boundary on peak alignment in rising pitch accents in a variety of German (Vienna). We measured the synchronization of F0 peaks with acoustic segments and articulatory movements. As expected, the closer the tone bearing unit is to the phrase boundary, the earlier the F0 peak is aligned. Although this alignment is not systematic in relation to syllable or segment boundaries, it is in relation to articulatory movements. Specifically, the F0 peak is aligned with the oral closing gesture. Without time pressure, the F0 peak was placed at the target of the closing gesture and with time pressure before the target. The differences in the articulatory alignment patterns were not discrete but gradient. They correspond to articulatory adjustments at the phrase boundary (final lengthening of the oral gesture).