• Speech Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.31-41
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• 2001

This paper aims to provide preliminary evidence that (at least part of) phonetic phenomena are not simply automatic or arbitrary, but are explained by the functional guidelines, ease of articulation and maintenance of contrasts. The first study shows that languages with more high vowels (e.g., French) allow larger consonantal deviation from its target than languages with less high vowels (e.g., English). This is interpreted as achieving the economy of articulation to a certain extent in order to avoid otherwise extreme articulatory movement to be made in CV syllables due to strict demand on maintaining vocalic contrasts. The second study shows that Russian plain bilabial consonant allows less amount of undershoot due to the neighboring vowels than does English bilabial consonant. This is probably due to the stricter demand on maintaining the consonantal contrasts, plain vs. palatalized, existing only in Russian.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.242-251
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• 2015

This paper is to analyse statutes and execution system on 'plain language policy' of the U.S. in the process of policy was instituted, and to suggest the meaningful implications for Korean easy public language improvement project based on the conclusions drawn. The summarized conclusion is as follows. First, the continuous interests of Presidents and taking the lead of federal agencies played important roles until the U.S. plain language policy has been established as a system. Second, in executing the U.S. plain language policy, laws legislated by period contributed to elicit mandatory compliances from the federal agencies. Third, a propelling agent of plain language policy, PLAIN, is not an administrative department but a community consisted of federal employees and experts. Fourth, plain language policy was unexpectedly given wholehearted support and assistance by Presidents and their administrations from the reform-minded Democratic party. Fifth, during the 2000s most federal departments and agencies held self-managed websites and programs related to plain language. To conclude the current U.S. plain language policy surely performs a mechanism to improve communication and a role as a ladder of trust between the public and government.