An acoustic analysis of word-initial /l, r, j, v/ in Turkish

This study investigates the acoustic properties of syllable-initial word-initial /l, r, j, v/ in Turkish. 5 native Turkish speakers, aged between 19-25, were asked to read words beginning with /l, r, j, v/. The experimental design was 8 words x 4 consonants x 5 participants x 4 repetitions. Thus a total of 640 tokens were analyzed. For each token, eleven acoustic measures were taken; consonant duration, F1, F2, and F3 frequencies, steady state frequency and duration of F2 of the consonant, frequency, duration, and rate of F2 transition, and steady state frequency and duration of F2 of the following vowel.In addition to determining the acoustic properties of the four consonants, the properties which differentiate these consonants from one another were also identified. Based on the findings of this study, acoustic properties which differentiate each of the four consonants are as follows: F2 steady state duration for /l/, duration of the consonant and F1 frequency for /r/, noticeably higher formant frequencies compared to that of the following vowel and negative F2 transition for /j/, F1 frequency, F2 transition frequency and consonant duration for /v/. The production of /r/ and /v/ show differences in that approximately 41% of /r/ productions were fricated whereas 59% contained energy which resembled formant frequencies. Similarly, 49% of /v/`s were produced with frication but 51% productions contained formant frequencies. The consonants /l, r, j, v/ in Turkish in word initial position thus should be described and /r/ with two allophones, /v/ also with two allophones.Key words: acoustic analysis, approximant, formant, Turkish