Major trends in vowel system inventories

摘要: The search for universal tendencies in the languages of world is a necessary anchor point any theoretical approach to phonetics. present typology vowel systems aims provide material testing substance-based theories, including, among others, Dispersion-Focalization Theory presented companion paper (Schwartz, Boe, Vallee & Abry, this issue). It focused on economy systems, specifically way system vowels functions as whole, and interact within given system. UPSID (UCLA Phonological Segment Inventory Database, Maddieson, 1984) inventory analyzed using an original methodology, with following main results. 1. Vowel first exploit primary sounds; more than 9 vowels, there clear trend exploiting at least one new dimension (secondary systems). 2. Primary mainly contain 3 secondary 1 7 both preference 5 vowels. 3. In are concentrated periphery. For peripheral symmetry (same number front back vowels) rule; if asymmetry, generally greater 4. interior central preferred; non-central rounded twice frequent unrounded ones. 5. Schwa preferred vowel, it does not seem other sounds systems.