Phonotactic constraints on the distribution of palatalized consonants

This paper investigates the neutralization of plain-palatalized contrasts in Russian. It argues that the attested distribution patterns and phonotactic restrictions on clusters can be adequately explained only if we consider acoustic and articulatory properties of palatalized consonants, and particularly, the cues available in release, burst, and approach. It shows that the analysis based on Russian extends straightforwardly to the patterns attested in other languages. The paper supports the view that phonetic detail plays an important role in phonology, and particularly, in preserving and neutralizing phonological contasts.