k [kx]

Voiceless Velar Affricate

Tłį Chǫ (Dogrib), Behchokǫ̀

1. kǫ̀ [kxõ̀] "fire"  -  Speaker: SP2

A characteristic velar affricate k [kx] in word-initial position. The stop closure period is voiceless, followed by a voiceless frication period that is present in the spectrogram as a dark band of energy. The affrication is an audible property of the sound. This affricate has a similar pattern as the unaspirated alveolar affricate dz [dz]. 

2018-07-20

2. gokè [gokxè] "foot"  -  Speaker: SP2

The velar affricate k [kx] between two vowels. The length and strength of the frication period is clear in the spectrogram and is a strong and audible property of the sound. Voicing continues briefly into the closure period of the sound, but the closure and release periods are voiceless.  Note also that the initial velar stop g [g] is voiceless. 

2018-07-20