Phonological neighborhood complexity and sound change

What is it about?

My manuscript entitled “Phonological neighborhood complexity and sound change“ focuses on how two recent sound changes in Austrian German (i.e., VOT shortening and lengthening in word-initial stops) are influenced by the phonological neighborhoods of the change-carrying lexemes. Two generations of speakers, which show different degrees of sound change incorporation in their speech, were investigated to draw conclusions as to which phonological neighborhoods are conducive for the introduction and/ or dissemination of the sound changes. Results vary by force of articulation, with changes in lenis VOT shortening and fortis VOT lengthening being linked to different types of neighborhoods in the different generations of speakers._x000D_ _x000D_ My findings can add to the literature on sound change, especially with regards to German varieties, and indicate that phonological neighborhood complexity plays a role in the origins and the spreading of phonological change._x000D_

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