Initial laryngeal neutralisation in Tyrolean

In the Southern-Bavarian variety of Tyrolean, laryngeal contrasts undergo a typologically interesting process of neutralisation in word-initial position. We undertake an acoustic analysis of Tyrolean stops in word-initial, word-medial and word-final contexts, as well as in obstruent clusters, investigating the role of acoustic parameters (VOT, prevoicing, closure duration and F0 and H1-H2* on following vowels) in implementing contrast, if any. Results show that stops contrast word-medially via [voice] (supported by the acoustic cues of closure duration and F0) and are neutralised completely in word-final position and in obstruent clusters. Word-initially, neutralisation is subject to inter- and intraspeaker variability and sensitive to place of articulation, with labials being more often neutralised than velars and velars more often than alveolars. Aspiration plays no role in implementing laryngeal contrasts in Tyrolean.