1887
Volume 47, Issue 1
  • ISSN 0731-3500
  • E-ISSN: 2214-5907
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Abstract

Abstract

Rma (also called Qiang) is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Northwestern Sichuan, China. In the literature on Rma, all documented varieties of Rma have been reported to have a three-way voice onset timing (VOT) distinction between voiceless unaspirated, voiceless aspirated, and voiced unaspirated obstruents. This study reports a variety of Rma, which has a near merger of the voiceless unaspirated and voiced unaspirated stops. A pilot study was conducted with speakers from three different villages within Yonghe valley. The results of this empirical study suggest that the Lower Yonghe valley variety has innovated a near merger between voiced and voiceless unaspirated obstruents.

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2024-05-17
2025-02-12
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Qiang; Rma; Voice onset time
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