Word length is (in part) predicted by phoneme inventory size and syllable structure

Based on anecdotal data from a few languages, it has been proposed that typical word length in a language is correlated with the size of the phoneme inventory: more phonemes predicts shorter words. This hypothesis has now been examined in some detail using a substantial sample of languages. A standardized text widely employed for phonetic illustrations is used, namely, the fable of "The North Wind and the Sun." Illustrations published by the IPA and others have been collected for over 100 languages. These illustrations are arguably well-matched in style and vocabulary and reflect natural inflected forms embedded in text. Average word-length in these texts is calculated and correlated with the size of the language's consonant and vowel inventories, as well as an index reflecting the permitted complexity of syllable structure. Vowel inventory is treated in two ways; basic vowels (just the distinctions on the basic height, backness and rounding parameters), and total vowels (including other distinctions such as nasalization, length, and voice quality). Mean word length is indeed negatively correlated with size of consonant and vowel inventories, most strongly with the number of basic vowels. More complex syllable structures also correlate with a shorter mean word length.

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