Variabilita českých alveolárních expolzív z pohledu lokusových rovnic
Variability of Czech Alveolar Plosives: A Locus Equation Perspective

Summary/Abstract: Locus equations are linear regressions of (F2-at-vowel-midpoint, F2-at-consonant-release) pairs, derived from CV sequences with one C (usually an obstruent stop) and a range of V’s. This article uses them primarily to assess the synchronic variability of Czech /d/ × /t/ as an indicator of possible sound change in the case of /d/, but also as a means for a preliminary evaluation of their speaker-distinguishing potential, on the premise that changing sounds may yield better results than stable ones. While evidence for the variability of /d/ has been found in the reduced linearity (r²) of its characteristic LE, conclusive proof of its usefulness for FSI, especially as compared with /t/, still remains to be adduced. The articulatory dimensions of the variation of Czech /d/ (alveolar × dental, apical × laminal) are also discussed.

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