About

Hello!

I’m Yutong (Felicia) Wang, a PhD student in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at the Phonetics and Phonology Lab, University of Cambridge. My research investigates how morphophonological processes shape phonetic realisations in Beijing Mandarin, with interests in:

Acoustic phonetics
Rime merger and retroflex suffixation
Incomplete contrast neutralisation
The phonetics–phonology interface
Feline acoustics

Academic Background

PhD student in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Jesus College, University of Cambridge (expected 2027)
– Supervised by Prof Brechtje Post and Dr Mitko Sabev (Saarland)
MPhil in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics (Distinction), Darwin College, University of Cambridge (2022)
– Dissertation: On the Nature of Beijing Retroflex Suffixation: An Acoustic Study, supervised by Dr Mitko Sabev
BA in Linguistics (First Class Honours), University of Manchester (2021)
– Dissertation: Cues in Mandarin Tone Perception by Human Listeners and Automatic Recognisers, supervised by Dr Wendell Kimper

Current Research

My work explores how segmental rime merger in Beijing Mandarin interacts with tonal processes under retroflex suffixation. Using acoustic and statistical methods, I analyse:

Spectral and temporal aspects of rime changes
Tonal shifts under morphological conditioning
Perceptual correlates of incomplete neutralisation

Tools & Skills

Praat, R, Python, SPSS, LaTeX

Teaching

I supervise undergraduate papers:

Li1 (Sounds and Words) – 2024, 2025
Li6 (Phonetics) – 2025

Previously, I also tutored for:

Jesus College Winter Programme - 2024, 2025

Topics I’ve taught include:
IPA transcription • Speech acoustics • Mandarin phonetics • Research presentation skills

Beyond the Lab

Editor, Cambridge Occasional Papers in Linguistics - 2025, 2026
Seminar Coordinator, Phonetics & Phonology Seminar Series - 2024
Faculty/University Open Day Lab Demonstrator - 2024, 2025

Outside academia, I enjoy running, good coffee, mixology, and support from my fluffy research assistants. Cho-Mee’s one of them.

If you’d like to connect, feel free to say hello via email or LinkedIn.