Dear linguists,
Below please find my reply to a query, posted years ago, which wonders if all languages have /s/ as the first element of an initial consonant cluster, and whether this phenomenon is biologically determined.



Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:53:45
From: Dinha T. Gorgis < gorgis_3@yahoo.co.uk >
Subject: Re: 16-2712, Phonology, Mysterious /s/


[Re: LINGUIST 16.2712, Phonology: Mysterious /s/
http://linguistlist.org/issues/16/16-2712.html]


Dear researcher,

Standard Arabic prohibits both s+C and V+s+C. Not only this, but it prohibits consonant cluster formation save at word-final position in case the speaker wishes to pause, whereby only a CC is allowed. And this explains the failure of Arabs learning English to produce CCC and CCCC clusters at all word-positions.
Syriac, as spoken today, permits s+C (whether the following consonant is voiced or voiceless), though genetically related to Arabic, e.g. /spa:y/ 'good or well' (with noticeable loss of aspiration, like English); /smo:qa/ 'red' (with a devoiced /m/). I believe it is a matter of habit formation; never biological and never universal!

Best,
Prof. Dinha T. Gorgis
Hashemite University,
Jordan