Prienų šnektos žemutinių balsių eksperimentinis tyrimas
An Experimental Investigation of Low Vowels in the Subdialect of Prienai

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses the quantitative position of [a-] and [e-] < *-an-, *-en- and those *-«-, *-e- length-ened due to the stress in the subdialect of the South-west Aukštaitian is analysed in experimental research of these vowels. The keystone is put on the fact that back long vowels [a-] as well as [em] < *-an-, *-en-and half-long vowels [a.] and [e.] <*-#-, *-ė- of the West Aukštaitian subdialect differ in their quantity and other distinctive features. The main objectives of the article are to explore and describe the quantity and spectra of different-origin back short vowels of the subdialect of Prienai with the help of empirical observation, experimental research and statistical methods. The article includes the object of research, de-scription and methods of research material, main results and conclusions. The experimental investigation of the quantity and quality of the low non-short vowels in the subdialect of Prienai has shown that vowels of different origins are characterised by different acoustic arnd articula-tory features. The measurement of vowel duration has indicated that [a] and [e'] < *-an-, *-en- are longer than the ones lengthened due to the stress to the ratio of 1.29:1. For this reason, they were considered as long and half-long vowels respectively. This has been proved by statistical investigation, too. Qualitative differences have also been revealed between low long and half-long vowels - in other words, vowels of different origins are characterised by different acoustic and articulatory features. The timbre of back low [am] is lower than that of [a.]. The variable articulation is typical of the front low vowels [e']t esp. [*•]: at the beginning of the sound the timbre of [e] and [«•] is slightly higher than those of [<?.] and [se.], while at the end the slightly lower timbre is typical of [c] and [«•].

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