The role of the palate in tongue kinematics: an experimental assessment in VC sequences from EPG and EMMA data.

Abstract

The effect of palatal contact on tongue tip kinematics was investigated using simultaneous EMMA and EPG recordings. The material consisted of VC sequences, where C is a voiced or voiceless alveolar stop. The kinematic characteristics were studied by analyzing parameters of the velocity profile and the deceleration peaks of the closing gesture. No evidence could be found for a potential influence of lateral contacts. Central contacts, associated with the beginning of the consonantal closure, are strongly correlated in time with the velocity drop. It supports the hypothesis that for achieving a consonantal closure tongue tip kinematics is not controlled by a specific target on the palate, and that its deceleration phase is mostly influenced by the collision with the palate.