THE QUANTITY AND OTHER DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF LOW VOWELS IN THE SUBDIALECT OF PRIENAISummaryExperimental investigation of the quantity, quality and other distinctive features of the low non-short ...vowels in the subdialect of Prienai has shown that vowels of different origin are characterised by different acoustic and articulatory features. The measurement of vowel duration has indicated that a˙ <*-añ-, e˙ (æ) <*-eñ- are longer than those lengthened due to the stress by the ratio of 1.29 : 1. For this reason they were considered as long and half-long vowels respectively. This has been attested by statistical evaluation, too.Qualitative differences have also been revealed between low long and half-long vowels. The timbre of back low a˙ is lower than that of a.. The variable articulation is typical of the front low vowels e˙ and esp. æ˙. At the beginning of the sound the timbre of e˙ and æ˙ is slightly higher than the timbres of e. and æ., while at the end the slightly lower timbre is typical of e˙ and æ˙.
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