Notes on Constrictive and Non-constrictive Vowels in the Yi Languages: According to the Results of Acoustic Analyses

Abstract

It is well known that there is a distinction between constrictive and non-constrictive vowels in the Yi languages of the Tibeto-Burman language family. Although this vocalic distinction has been noted for a long time, its detailed process in producing, in particular, constrictive vowels has not been sufficiently researched until recent years. In this article, we will demonstrate and investigate phonetic features of constrictive/non-constrictive vowels in two Yi languages, namely Axi Yi, and Nuosu Yi, based on the outcomes of acoustic analyses of them. In conclusion, at least among these Yi languages, there are two types in vocalic constriction such as ‘pharyngealisation’ and ‘laryngealisation’.