The Status of [h] and [?] in the Sistani Dialect of Miyankangi

The purpose of this article is to determine the phonemic status of [h] and [1] inthe sistani dialect of miyankangi. auditory tests applied to the relevant data show that [1] occurs mainly in word-initial position, where it stands in free variation with (phi). the only place where [h] is heard is in arabic and persian loan words, and only in the pronunciation of some speakers who are educated and/or live in urban centres, where inhabitants are in closer touch with persianthan in rural areas. the sound [h] also occurs in the pronunuciation of some arabic loanwords where it replaces the glottal plosive, particularly in word medial, intervocalic position. the investigation shows that neither [1] nor [h]have phonemic status in the sistani dialect of miyankangi at present, but thatmore intense contact with persian may change this state in the future,particularly for [h].