Saudi Arabic stops of Alamri Alnamas Dialect

Abstract

This study aims to establish normative data for voice onset time (VOT) and word-final stop release duration of Saudi Arabic stop consonants of the Alamri Alnamas dialect as well as the effect of gender on the duration of VOT and release. The study includes a measurement of three types of Saudi Arabic stops: pre-voiced, unaspirated emphatic, and aspirated/short lag stops. Six participants were recruited and divided into two groups based on gender (3 males and 3 females) producing words that have stops in initial and final positions in carrier phrases. The results showed that Alamri Alnamas dialect has slightly aspirated /t, k/, unaspirated emphatic /tʕ/ and pre-voiced /d, ɡ/. For the final position, the stops are released where voiceless /t, k/ have significant longer duration than emphatic /tʕ/ and voiced /b, d, ɡ/. Furthermore, there are no significant differences between males and females in the duration of VOT and release in producing stops.