Some observations on velar movement in plosives.

Using a photoelectric device, velar movement of 6 subjects is continuously registered in test words containing /p, t, k, b, d, g/. There are differences in both timing and degree of velar movement patterns as a function of voicing, place of articulation, vocalic context, and mode of release. There is extensive coarticulation in both directions. A hierarchical relationship for the realization of velar height targets for vowels and consonants is found, leading to the supposition that there are two different kinds of coarticulation on the neuromotor level.