Vowel lenition and fortition in Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

In this paper I deal with vowel reduction in Brazilian Portuguese and other languages, illustrating the principles (1) that segmental complexity and positional strength are closely aligned in phonological structure, and (2) that syntagmatic distinctness (e.g. between strong and weak positions, and between halves of a diphthong) can induce segmental lenition and fortition. The empirical phenomena covered include asymmetries in pre-tonic vs. post-tonic vowel reduction, differences in the realization of unstressed mid vowels in Northeastern vs. Southeastern Brazilian Portuguese, and preferred diphthongs in the language.