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Jaye Padgett

UC Santa Cruz

Monday, April 11th at 2:00 PM in AP&M 4301. 

An Ultrasound Investigation of Irish Palatalization

Abstract: In collaboration with Ryan Bennett, Grant McGuire, and Máire Ní Chiosáin, I am carrying out a multi-year project using ultrasound to study the production of the palatalization / velarization contrast in Irish. This contrast pervades the entire consonantal system. Because Irish is an endangered language, and because there is evidence that the palatalization contrast is itself waning, it is of interest to document it. On the theoretical side, we are collecting data that should shed light on the underpinnings of syllable- or word-final neutralization of palatalization contrasts, among other things.