The Beginning of an Important Change in Polish Phonotactics

A change has been observed in the pronunciation of sonorants in Polish in positions where their occurrence does not conform with the sonority principle. We decided to take a closer look at this process and begin research on this phenomenon. First, we plan to examine the pronunciation of sonorants in word-final positions after an obstruent, next we will examine them in the position between two obstruents, and finally in the word-initial position before an obstruent. So far, a short pilot study has been published (Sawicka, Zinowjewa 2020), and the pronunciation of /w/ has been examined in sentences read by a selected speaker (Sawicka, Zinowjewa 2023). The present study discusses the pronunciation of r in sentences read by the same speaker. The project will also include an examination of the same material read by a greater number of 'average' speakers of Polish, and an examination of continuous material - longer texts, read and spoken.