Changes in the pitch-accent system of Gernika Basque
The pitch-accent system in Northern Bizkaian Basque (NBB) is characterized for making a pitch distinction between lexical accented/unaccented words (i.e. singular vs. plural contrast) and for lacking a durational correlate of accentual prominence. The present study examines whether such system is ma...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Gobierno de Navarra
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Fontes Linguae Vasconum |
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| Online Access: | https://revistas.navarra.es/index.php/FLV/article/view/1410 |
| Summary: | The pitch-accent system in Northern Bizkaian Basque (NBB) is characterized for making a pitch distinction between lexical accented/unaccented words (i.e. singular vs. plural contrast) and for lacking a durational correlate of accentual prominence. The present study examines whether such system is maintained in Gernika Basque, a variety of NBB. Results show that younger speakers (ages 18-45) from Spanish speaking households are more likely to show no pitch differences to convey a singular/plural contrast if they also belong to Spanish-speaking social networks. Although duration correlates were found among some speakers, its use was not directly related to the loss of contrast in pitch. |
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| ISSN: | 0046-435X 2530-5832 |