Phonological status of interdental phones [n], [l] and [t] in the Mapudungun spoken in the coastal area, Budi, Araucanía Region, Chile

Abstract

This article deals with the phonetic-phonological status of the interdental consonants [n­], [l­] and [t­], in the Mapudungun spoken in the Coastal area of the Huapi Island, IX Region of Araucania.  After analyzing minimal pairs, quantification of interdental segments versus alveolar [n­], [l­] and [t­], and the phonological awareness of the assessed speakers, the validity of these segments could be concluded both as phones and as phonemes. That is to say, /n/, /l/ y /t/; y /n­/, / l­ /and /t­/, are phonemes in this area.