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This increase in signal amplitude is also attested in word-initial implosives. Figure
8.13 shows the word =(=J =(=J =(=J =(=J ‘low’. Here, there is an increase in signal amplitude from the
beginning of the utterance until the release of the implosive.
In possible words and in words where the implosive is in initial position, the
increase in signal amplitude is a consistent pattern. In other tokens, however, a second
pattern is sometimes attested. Consider the waveform of the word = = = = ‘spirit’ shown in
Figure 8.14. Here, the entire closure period of the implosive is characterized by a
relatively large, level amplitude rather than an increase in signal amplitude from the start
to end of closure. This alternative amplitude property was also observed by Lindau for
the Niger-Congo languages in her study.
Figure 8.14: Waveform of the word = = = = ‘spirit’ (Speaker K).
The second property of implosives that I examine is the phonation type,
specifically whether there is evidence for laryngealization. Figures 8.15-8.18 are close-up
views of the closure period of the signal for the possible words == == == == and == == == == uttered by
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