3 ms·
Japanese de-voices vowels in certain contexts adjacent to voiceless consonants. The weakness you're describing is the lack of voicing (vocal cords vibrating).
by itsameta4 8y ago
Japanese de-voices vowels in certain contexts adjacent to voiceless consonants. The weakness you're describing is the lack of voicing (vocal cords vibrating).
- gizmo686 8y agoThe きや きゃ (kiya, kya) distinction is not a phonological alternation. For instance, we have ぎゃく (gyaku), despite the fact that /g/ and /y/ are both voiced.
- itsameta4 8y agoI'm aware of this, however he specifically mentioned a weak sound in "sukiyaki" which is due to de-voicing the /i/.