DefinePK

Research Objective

To measure the Voice Onset Time (VOT) of Pashto stops and to examine the influence of these stops on the subsequent vowel length.

Methodology

A descriptive, quantitative research approach was used. Five male Pashto speakers of the Yousafzai dialect, aged 18-30, were selected via convenient sampling. Recordings were made in a soundproof room using a Zoom H5 voice recorder. Participants pronounced minimal sets of words containing target stop sounds at the initial position followed by the same vowel. Acoustic analysis was performed using PRAAT software to measure VOT duration and vowel length.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A[Select 5 Pashto speakers Yousafzai dialect, 18-30] --> B[Record participants pronouncing minimal word sets];
    B --> C[Analyze recordings using PRAAT];
    C --> D[Measure VOT duration];
    C --> E[Measure vowel length];
    D --> F[Compare VOT values across stops];
    E --> G[Compare vowel lengths after different stops];
    F --> H[Identify shortest and longest VOT];
    G --> I[Identify vowel length patterns];
    H & I --> J[Draw conclusions on VOT and vowel length effects];                    

Discussion

The study's findings contribute to the understanding of Pashto phonetics, specifically the acoustic properties of stops in the Yousafzai dialect and their impact on vowel length. The results highlight differences in VOT durations between voiced and voiceless stops, and between different places of articulation. The observed correlation between stop voicing and subsequent vowel length is a significant phonetic phenomenon. These findings have implications for language learners and researchers of Pashto phonology and second language acquisition.

Key Findings

- The retroflex voiceless stop / / had the shortest VOT duration (0.015 ms).
- The dental voiced stop /d/ had the longest VOT duration (-0.127 ms).
- Vowel sounds were shorter after voiceless stops and longer after voiced stops.
- No aspirated stops were found in the Yousafzai dialect of Pashto.

Conclusion

The study successfully measured the VOT duration of Pashto stops in the Yousafzai dialect and demonstrated their effect on vowel length. The retroflex voiceless stop / / exhibited the shortest VOT, while the dental voiced stop /d/ showed the longest. Vowels were found to be shorter after voiceless stops and longer after voiced stops. The research provides a foundation for further studies on Pashto stops and comparative analyses with other languages like English.

Fact Check

- The study involved five Pashto speakers of the Yousafzai dialect aged 18-30. (Confirmed by Methodology section)
- The retroflex voiceless stop / / had the shortest VOT duration of 0.015 ms. (Confirmed by Abstract and Analysis and Findings section)
- The dental voiced stop /d/ had the longest VOT duration of -0.127 ms. (Confirmed by Abstract and Analysis and Findings section)

Mind Map