Tongue-larynx interactions in the production of word initial laryngealization over different prosodic contexts: A repeated speech experiment

We report the results of a repeated speech experiment conducted to elicit laryngealization or full glottal stops before vowel-initial pseudo-words. In order to study potential interactions between the larynx and the tongue, we tested the effects of different vowels (high vs. low) and the effect of the presence of stress on the initial vowel, as well as the effect of the place of articulation of adjacent stop consonants. The results obtained are consistent with the idea that a retracted tongue root favors the production of laryngeal constriction. Indeed we found that laryngealization is stronger on unstressed initial vowels, where it co-occurs with a retracted back of the tongue.