Methods

This chapter outlines the methodologies used to investigate vowel reduction in New Zealand English and European Portuguese. Three primary methods are employed: morphophonological alternations, phonological processes, and acoustic analysis. Morphophonological alternations provide evidence for vowel reduction through systematic patterns in derivation, though challenges arise in distinguishing true alternations from lexical suppletion. Phonological processes such as devoicing, deletion, and allomorphic variation reveal the role of moraicity in vowel reduction and help determine whether unstressed vowels lose moraic status. Acoustic analysis is essential given the limitations of impressionistic transcription. The book employs controlled acoustic experiments, ensuring natural L1 speech by designing structured frame sentences and controlling speech rate. Further methodological controls include stimulus randomization, minimizing boundary effects, and the use of real and nonce words to test hypotheses systematically. The chapter emphasizes the importance of multiple methodologies for supporting claims about vowel reduction and ensuring replicable, data-driven analysis. evidence