Patterns of Vowel Dispersion in Arabic in the Light of Lan Maddieson's Dispersion Theory: An Analytic Study

Abstract

Acoustic phonetic studies have become fashionable in the past two decades. Many theories have been advanced to analyse sounds experimentally. Vowel analysis gained traction after Jones' Cardinal vowels recognition. Vowel spacing and dispersion in Arabic in the light of what Jones has carried out and the relatively more recent theory of dispersion expounded by Lan Maddieson, has been thoroughly and meticulously examined. Lan Maddieson views that vowels are evenly spaced and dispersed within the designated oral space.

     The triangular shape and dispersion of the three Arabic vowels was compared to that of Jones' Cardinal vowels numbered 1، 5 and 8. The two vocalic systems seem to share striking similarities with regard to distribution and dispersion. 85% compatibility and correspondence was observed، which lends support to Maddieson's theory.