Vowels

doi:10.1017/9781316779194.009

7 - Vowels

from Part II - The Spanish Sound System

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 August 2018

Rebecca Ronquest

Edited by

Kimberly L. Geeslin

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Kimberly L. Geeslin: Affiliation:
Indiana University

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Summary

This chapter offers an overview of the consonants of Spanish, focusing on the main phonemes, both in terms of the dialectal variation and phonological processes that affect them. The topic of Spanish consonants is vast and has given rise to many studies from different perspectives, from generative phonology to Optimality Theory approaches. Given this breadth, this chapter offers a survey of the topics that have been more widely explored in the literature, focusing on recent advances and contributions to these discussions from studies employing instrumental methodologies. In revising previous assumptions and accounts of phonological processes in Spanish, I will emphasize the fact that phonological variation is at the core of many recent studies and advances in phonology, and the role it plays in building our assumptions and advancing phonological theory. The aim is to bring to the forefront the impact that phonetically-informed approaches to sound variation and change have had on phonological representations and models. Some of the processes discussed include spirantization and voicing of stops, assimilation of place of articulation and of voicing, weakening of coda consonants, and other cases of neutralization, emphasizing new venues for further research regarding these topics

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of Spanish Linguistics , pp. 145 - 164

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316779194.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2018

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