Between phonology and typology

Consonant duration in two Gallo-Italian dialects

Abstract

Segmental correspondences are sometimes due to completely different factors. We exemplify this claim by considering the allophonic gemination of post-stress consonants in Bologna and Porto Maurizio dialects, two varieties which display contrastive vowel length. After the experimental confirmation of vowel length contrasts and the existence of differences in the duration of the post-stress consonants, we qualitatively analyze intensity contours. Despite similar duration values, in light of different intensity patterns and rhythm accounts, we hypothesize that post-stress gemination derives from close contact in Bolognese, due to a stronger compensative pattern, while it is residual or due to the pressure of standard Italian in Portorino.