A Fiberoptic Study Of Stop Production In Maithili

Abstract

A fiber optic study was made to investigate the temporal course and width of the glottis during the production of four types of Maithili stops in initial, medial and final positions. The results show that the voiced-voiceless distinction correlates with the adduction-abduction gesture of the larynx. The study also suggests that glottal width is the key factor for aspiration and that sounds which are produced by a combination of vibrating vocal cords and aspiration should, in fact, be called 'voiced aspirated' consonants.