An investigation was carried out concerning an alleged contrast in spoken German, between long and overlong vowels. Minimally biasing frames were created and exposed to a number of native speakers, eliciting members of various pairs in context. Detailed acoustical measurements were made and analysed.
Comparison of results indicates that the presence of a long/overlong contrast as a valid signal element is extremely doubtful. Numerous reversals occur, no definite pattern can be observed even in the speech of individuals, and such increments in length as do occur in some of the allegedly overlong items appear to be below threshold.
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