Positional Neutralization - Linguistics - University of California ...

2.5.1. Facts
Contemporary Standard Russian (CSR) is usually described as having two
"degrees" of vowel reduction. Degree 1 reduction applies to the first pretonic syllable
(but see below for details), while Degree 2 applies elsewhere. The generalization usually
cited is this: /a/ and /o/ are categorically neutralized in all unstressed syllables. In the first
(immediate) pretonic syllable, both vowels are realized as [a]. In other pretonic syllables
farther from the stress, and in all posttonics, they are realized as []. In all unstressed
syllables, /e/ is raised to merge with /i/. /a/ and /o/ following a palatalized consonant
reduce according to the same pattern as /e/. There are further details concerning /e/,
palatalization, and // which will not concern us here. This is exemplified in (9).
(9) UVR in Contemporary Standard Russian
stressed Degree 1 reduction Degree 2 reduction
moldst youth malodnkj young (dim.) mladoj young
bol pain balet to hurt blvoj pain (adj.)
starj old (adj.) starik old man strna old times
razum reason razumn wisely (adv.) rzumet to understand
Under Crosswhite’s analysis, the Degree 1 reduction occurring in the first
pretonic syllable is contrast-enhancing reduction, since mid vowels are eliminated, but
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