Comparative Analyses of Electro-Palatoraphic Features in Uighur and Chinese Fricative /s/

Abstract

This article examines the Uighur and Chinese fricative /s/ with specific vowels by using Electropalatograph. By investigating similarities and differences in the alveolar region, blocking segments, and synergistic articulation, it proves that Uighur and Chinese fricatives /s/ are both lingual anterior consonants due to the same or similar articulatory places. During articulation, they share some commonality. Firstly, the contact between tongue and palate in the target frame is reduced when fricative /s/ is pronounced in both languages. Secondly, the tongue-palate contact primarily occurs in the gingival area. However, it has a larger Anterior Contact than Posterior Contact. Additionally, without complete obstructions between the tongue and palate, there is a gap between the tip of the tongue and the gingiva, allowing an airflow to articulate the fricative. Most important of all, a comparative analysis reveals distinctions between Uighur and Chinese fricatives /s/ from the aspect of synergistic articulation. The Uighur /s/ has tongue-palate contact with the soft palate in the hard palate region, which is not obvious in Chinese fricative /s/.