Fact Check: Are ejectives voiced?

Are Ejectives Voiced?

The claim in question is whether ejective consonants can be voiced. Ejectives are a specific type of consonant produced using a glottalic egressive airstream mechanism, which involves the closure of the glottis and the elevation of the larynx to create a pocket of compressed air. This claim raises questions about the nature of voicing in phonetics and the mechanisms involved in producing different types of consonants.

What We Know

1. Definition of Ejectives: Ejectives are typically described as voiceless consonants produced with a glottalic egressive airstream. They are characterized by a closure at the glottis, which prevents the vocal folds from vibrating during their production 136.

2. Voicing Mechanism: Voicing requires the vocal folds to vibrate, which is incompatible with the closure of the glottis necessary for producing ejectives. This has led to the consensus among many linguists that ejectives are inherently voiceless 345.

3. Exceptions and Variations: Some sources mention that while traditional ejectives are voiceless, certain languages may have glottalized sonorants that can exhibit voicing characteristics. However, these are not classified as true ejectives in the strictest phonetic sense 17.

4. Linguistic Context: Ejectives are found in various languages, particularly in the Caucasian and some Native American languages, where they contrast with other consonants such as aspirated and voiced sounds 1610.

5. Theoretical Discussions: Some discussions in linguistic forums suggest that while the traditional understanding is that ejectives are voiceless, there are theoretical considerations regarding the possibility of voiced ejectives, though these are generally deemed impossible due to the physical constraints of their production 348.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that ejectives can be voiced is largely against it. Most reliable sources, including academic articles and linguistic textbooks, assert that the mechanism of producing ejectives inherently prevents voicing. For instance, the Wikipedia entry on ejective consonants states that they are "usually voiceless" and emphasizes the glottalic airstream mechanism as a defining characteristic 1.

However, the discussion around voiced ejectives is not entirely absent. The source from the University of Manitoba explains that the closure of the glottis during the production of ejectives prevents vocal fold vibration, reinforcing the idea that voiced ejectives are not feasible 6. Additionally, a post on Linguistics Stack Exchange discusses the impossibility of voiced ejectives in detail, citing the need for vocal fold vibration, which contradicts the mechanics of ejective production 3.

On the other hand, the mention of glottalized sonorants in some languages suggests that there may be phenomena that could be confused with ejectives but do not fit the strict definition. This indicates a potential area for further research but does not substantiate the claim that ejectives themselves can be voiced.

The sources consulted vary in reliability. Academic sources such as the University of Manitoba and established linguistic databases provide strong, evidence-based insights. In contrast, blogs and informal discussions, while sometimes informative, may lack rigorous peer review and should be approached with caution regarding their claims 489.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that ejective consonants can be voiced is false. The consensus among linguists is that ejectives are inherently voiceless due to the glottalic airstream mechanism that prevents vocal fold vibration. Reliable sources consistently support this view, emphasizing that the physical production of ejectives contradicts the requirements for voicing.

While there are discussions about glottalized sonorants that may exhibit voicing characteristics, these do not qualify as true ejectives and do not provide evidence for the claim in question. It is important to note that while the theoretical exploration of voiced ejectives exists, it remains largely speculative and unsupported by empirical evidence.

Limitations in the available evidence include the potential for misinterpretation of related phonetic phenomena and the reliance on varying levels of source reliability. As such, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consult multiple sources when exploring complex linguistic topics.

Sources

1. Ejective consonant - Wikipedia. Link
2. Ejective-contour click. Link
3. Why are voiced ejectives impossible? - Linguistics Stack Exchange. Link
4. The IPA: Non-pulmonic consonants - linʛuischtick. Link
5. Ejectives - (Intro to Linguistics) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations. Link
6. Ejectives - University of Manitoba. Link
7. Ejective | linguistics | Britannica. Link
8. John Wells's phonetic blog: implosives and ejectives. Link
9. Ryan's linguistics blog: Ejectives. Link
10. Ejective Consonants: A Distinctive Group of Speech Sounds. Link