Acoustics of Arabic Uvulars and Emphatic Coronals: Evidence for Uvularization of Emphatics in Qatari Arabic

Previous studies identify emphatic coronals in Arabic dialects either as pharyngealized and articulated with the tongue root retracting toward the pharynx wall or as uvularized and articulated with the tongue body retracted and raised toward the uvula. Few studies, however, compared acoustic properties of emphatic coronals and uvulars in the same dialect. The current study investigates multiple acoustic cues of vowels produced in emphatic and uvular contexts in Qatari Arabic. The acoustic analysis revealed a similar coarticulatory effect of emphatics and uvulars on the adjacent vowel, resulting in higher F1/F3 and lower F2. Also, flatter spectral slope (H1-A1, H1-A2) after emphatics and uvulars indicated compressed voice quality in both contexts. The findings suggest that emphatic coronals in Qatari Arabic are uvularized, with a secondary constriction in the upper pharynx area near the uvula.