Languages in Drier Climates Use Fewer Vowels

Frontiers in Psychology Vol/Iss. 8(1285) ? Published In Pages: 1-15
By Everett, Caleb

Abstract

This study sampled over 4,012 language varieties, comparing their version of 40 generally universal words, such as body parts, water, the sun, pronouns, and common behaviors or animals. These language variations were tested in their association to "specific humidity," the variable used to represent ambient humidity of a language location. Results suggest negative association between the dryness of climate and the utilization of vowels, consitent with the idea that dry air affects the behavior of the larynx.

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