There are many, many languages. Some have the "sss" sound and some don't. Can anyone quantify this? Preferably as a percentage. Thanks in advance '_'
2006-09-18 10:01:16 · 5 answers · asked by squirrellondon 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I have a data base of phonological systems from around the world containing the sound inventories of 5,318 of the world's languages. 4,312 have the sound "s" in them (voiceless alveolar fricative) or 76.72%. 626 have the sound "s" (dental) in them (voiceless dental fricative) or 10.59%, which many languages have instead of the alveolar "s" like in English. That means that about 87% of the world's languages have an "s" sound in them (either alveolar like in English or dental like in French). One part of the world where "s" is extremely rare is Australia among the aboriginal languages.
2006-09-18 17:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by Taivo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anyone has the answer to this question, because it would involve checking the phonological systems of all the languages of the world (some of which aren't even documented yet). "s" certainly seems to be an interesting and prevalent sound, though.
2006-09-18 16:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jutht over theventy thix perthent.
2006-09-18 22:50:45 · answer #3 · answered by EvilEdd 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sssssssilence, pleasessssssssss, I need ssssssssome ssssssleep.
2006-09-18 10:11:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
german ?
2006-09-18 10:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by minty 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋