scholarly journals Fundamental frequency variability in the oral reading of untrained English speakers

1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (S1) ◽  
pp. S51-S51
Author(s):  
James R. Solomon ◽  
Eric J. Soares
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
English Speakers

scholarly journals A comparison of vocal parameters in adult bilingual Hebrew-English speakers

CoDAS ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Nevo ◽  
Chaya Nevo ◽  
Gisele Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Frequency Variation ◽  
Bilingual Speakers ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Acoustic Analyses ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Purpose: There has been growing research on the effects of language on voice characteristics; however, few studies have examined the impact of language on vocal features within bilinguals. This study aimed to compare vocal parameters among bilingual Hebrew/English speaking individuals when speaking in Hebrew versus English. Methods: Forty bilingual participants (17 males and 23 females) between the ages of 23-60 years were asked to spontaneously speak about a neutral topic. Voice samples were digitalized into a tablet for perceptual and acoustic analyses of selected parameters. Results: Results show that there are changes in resonance, glottal attack, fundamental frequency variation and speech rate when adult bilingual speakers talk in Hebrew as compared to English. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that language plays a role in affecting vocal characteristics of bilingual individuals when they speak different languages.

Stop consonant productions of Korean–English bilingual children

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUE ANN S. LEE ◽  
GREGORY K. IVERSON
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Voice Onset Time ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Stop Consonant ◽  
Developmental Period ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Stop Consonants ◽  
Speech Sounds ◽  
English Bilingual

The purpose of this study was to conduct an acoustic examination of the obstruent stops produced by Korean–English bilingual children in connection with the question of whether bilinguals establish distinct categories of speech sounds across languages. Stop productions were obtained from ninety children in two age ranges, five and ten years: thirty Korean–English bilinguals, thirty monolingual Koreans and thirty monolingual English speakers. Voice-Onset-Time (VOT) lag at word-initial stop and fundamental frequency (f0) in the following vowel (hereafter vowel-onset f0) were measured. The bilingual children showed different patterns of VOT in comparison to both English and Korean monolinguals, with longer VOT in their production of Korean stop consonants and shorter VOT for English. Moreover, the ten-year-old bilinguals distinguished all stop categories using both VOT and vowel-onset f0,whereas the five-year-olds tended to make stop distinctions based on VOT but not vowel-onset f0. The results of this study suggest that bilingual children at around five years of age do not yet have fully separate stop systems, and that the systems continue to evolve during the developmental period.

scholarly journals Age Estimation in Foreign-accented Speech by Native and Non-native Speakers

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-183
Author(s):  
Ksenia Gnevsheva ◽  
Daniel Bürkle
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Age Estimation ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Speech Rate ◽  
First Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Accented Speech ◽  
Japanese Speakers ◽  
Language Familiarity ◽  
Accented English

Current research shows that listeners are generally accurate at estimating speakers’ age from their speech. This study investigates the effect of speaker first language and the role played by such speaker characteristics as fundamental frequency and speech rate. In this study English and Japanese first language speakers listened to English- and Japanese-accented English speech and estimated the speaker’s age. We find the highest correlation between real and estimated speaker age for English listeners listening to English speakers, followed by Japanese listeners listening to both English and Japanese speakers, with English listeners listening to Japanese speakers coming last. We find that Japanese speakers are estimated to be younger than the English speakers by English listeners, and that both groups of listeners estimate male speakers and speakers with a lower mean fundamental frequency to be older. These results suggest that listeners rely on sociolinguistic information in their speaker age estimations and language familiarity plays a role in their success.

The relative contribution of segments and intonation to the perception of foreign-accented speech

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOAN SERENO ◽  
LYNNE LAMMERS ◽  
ALLARD JONGMAN
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Foreign Accent ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Relative Impact ◽  
Accented Speech ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Accented English

ABSTRACTThe present study examines the relative impact of segments and intonation on accentedness, comprehensibility, and intelligibility, specifically investigating the separate contribution of segmental and intonational information to perceived foreign accent in Korean-accented English. Two English speakers and two Korean speakers recorded 40 English sentences. The sentences were manipulated by combining segments from one speaker with intonation (fundamental frequency contour and duration) from another speaker. Four versions of each sentence were created: one English control (English segments and English intonation), one Korean control (Korean segments and Korean intonation), and two Korean–English combinations (one with English segments and Korean intonation; the other with Korean segments and English intonation). Forty native English speakers transcribed the sentences for intelligibility and rated their comprehensibility and accentedness. The data show that segments had a significant effect on accentedness, comprehensibility, and intelligibility, but intonation only had an effect on intelligibility. Contrary to previous studies, the present study, separating segments from intonation, suggests that segmental information contributes substantially more to the perception of foreign accentedness than intonation. Native speakers seem to rely mainly on segments when determining foreign accentedness.

Clinical Measurement of Fundamental Frequency in Normal and Dysphonic Voices Using Electronic Tuners

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry C. Solberg ◽  
Linda A. Hoag ◽  
Laura Beals
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Connected Speech ◽  
Clinical Measurement ◽  
Frequency Measurements ◽  
Sophisticated Equipment ◽  
Female Voices ◽  
Normal Males

The purpose of this study was to determine whether fundamental frequency measurements made with two portable electronic tuners, relatively inexpensive devices used by musicians for fast-tuning their instruments, were comparable to those made with the Visi-Pitch (Model 6097) when analyzing both normal and dysphonic voices. Voice recordings of vowel prolongations and connected speech (oral reading) of 40 adult subjects (10 normal females, 10 dysphonic females, 10 normal males, 10 dysphonic males) were analyzed. Results indicated that measurements of connected speech samples made with the tuners correlated very highly with those made by the Visi-Pitch. The measurements of vowel samples made with the tuners also correlated very highly with those made with the Visi-Pitch with the exception of the dysphonic female voices. Measurement differences of approximately one octave for two severely dysphonic female voices contributed to the lower but nevertheless significant correlations for dysphonic female voices. Regression analyses indicated that the tuners underestimated the measurements made with the Visi-Pitch by approximately 4 Hz or less. The results support the use of the tuners for clinical measurement of fundamental frequency when more sophisticated equipment is unavailable and when users are aware of the devices’ limitations.

Effects of Altered Fundamental Frequency on Nasalance during Vowel Production by Adult Speakers at Targeted Sound Pressure Levels

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry C. Mandulak ◽  
David J. Zajac
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Vowel Production ◽  
Chapel Hill ◽  
Velopharyngeal Function ◽  
The University ◽  
Normal Speech

Objective: This study investigated the effects of altered fundamental frequency (F0) on nasalance levels of the vowels /i/ and /a/ produced by adults without cleft palate within a controlled sound pressure level (SPL) range. Design: A prospective group design with convenience sampling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was used. Participants: 20 men and 20 women participated, aged 18 to 55 years. All were native English speakers with normal speech and language skills and adequate velopharyngeal function. Main Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were percentage nasalance obtained from the Nasometer 6200 (KayPentax) headset and the Computerized Speech Lab Model 4400 (CSL, KayPentax) during vowel production while speakers (1) targeted an SPL range of 75 to 85 dB and (2) targeted the SPL plus F0 range of 165 to 175 Hz. Results: A significant univariate effect was found for the vowels /i/ and /a/ in the targeted SPL condition such that /i/ was produced with higher nasalance than /a/. A significant univariate effect was also found during production of /a/ in the targeted SPL plus F0 condition such that men produced /a/ with higher nasalance than women did. Conclusions: SPL appears to largely account for percentage nasalance differences between the vowels /i/ and /a/ produced by adult male and female speakers. Increased F0 by male speakers appears to influence percentage nasalance during production of the vowel /a/. Clinical implications in regard to assessment of hypernasality are discussed.

A Comparison of Habitual and Derived Optimal Voice Fundamental Frequency Values in Normal Young Adult Speakers

1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthea I. Britto ◽  
Philip C. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Vocal Training ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Voice Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Normal Adults

The purpose of this study was to compare habitual (modal) and derived optimal pitch (fundamental frequency) values in 40 young adults. The individual habitual F 0 values of 20 male and 20 female nonsmokers with normal larynges, normal voices, and no history of laryngeal pathology or formal vocal training were obtained from high-quality recordings of spontaneous monologue, oral reading, and sustained phonation. Optimal fundamental frequency (F 0 ) was derived from each individual's phonational range using the 25% Method (Fairbanks, 1960; Pronovost, 1942). Using correlative analyses, the predicted optimal F 0 values that were derived were compared to habitual F 0 values for the male and female speaker groups, and for specific vocal tasks used to identify habitual F 0 (i.e., spontaneous monologue vs. oral reading vs. sustained phonation). Results indicate that habitual F 0 was not consistent with derived optimal F 0 values using the 25% Method; rather, habitual F 0 in our normal adults occurred between 8% and 10% up the phonational range from basal F 0 . Clinical implications of these data and the related limitations associated with the concept of optimal pitch (F 0 ) are discussed.

Pitch features of classroom French intonation

1988 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-82
Author(s):  
Brian McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Student Speech ◽  
Frequency Measurements ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Pitch Movement

Abstract Using fundamental frequency measurements taken from mingograph traces, the direction and range of pitch movements were studied in a series of utterances produced by native speakers of French and by a group of (near-) beginner students of that language. Results were also compared to the Delattre models for major and minor continuation and finality. Analysis of the native speakers allows us to determine the extent to which the pattern of pitch movement is a function of the speaking context. It is then possible to see additional differences occurring when the task is performed by foreign language learners. Our most significant findings relate to differences between the utterances of free conversation and those occurring in controlled contexts (oral reading, repetition, drill responses), and to a certain blurring of the distinction between major and minor continuation in student speech.

Exploring the Effects of Imitating Hand Gestures and Head Nods on L1 and L2 Mandarin Tone Production

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 2179-2195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Zheng ◽  
Yukari Hirata ◽  
Spencer D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
First Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Hand Gestures ◽  
Tonal Language ◽  
Tone Production ◽  
Mandarin Tones ◽  
Mandarin Tone ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study investigated the impact of metaphoric actions—head nods and hand gestures—in producing Mandarin tones for first language (L1) and second language (L2) speakers.MethodIn 2 experiments, participants imitated videos of Mandarin tones produced under 3 conditions: (a) speech alone, (b) speech + head nods, and (c) speech + hand gestures. Fundamental frequency was recorded for both L1 (Experiment 1) and L2 (Experiment 2a) speakers, and the output of the L2 speakers was rated for tonal accuracy by 7 native Mandarin judges (Experiment 2b).ResultsExperiment 1 showed that 12 L1 speakers' fundamental frequency spectral data did not differ among the 3 conditions. In Experiment 2a, the conditions did not affect the production of 24 English speakers for the most part, but there was some evidence that hand gestures helped Tone 4. In Experiment 2b, native Mandarin judges found limited conditional differences in L2 productions, with Tone 3 showing a slight head nods benefit in a subset of “correct” L2 tokens.ConclusionResults suggest that metaphoric bodily actions do not influence the lowest levels of L1 speech production in a tonal language and may play a very modest role during preliminary L2 learning.

Speaking Fundamental Frequency and Rate Characteristics of Adult Female Schizophrenics

1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Saxman ◽  
Kenneth W. Burk
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Frequency ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Frequency Deviation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sentence Reading ◽  
Frequency Level ◽  
Oral Reading Rate ◽  
Normal Women ◽  
Speaking Fundamental Frequency

Selected speaking characteristics of 37 hospitalized female schizophrenic reaction patients were compared with those of a control group of 22 normal women. Tape recorded samples of oral reading and impromptu speaking were analyzed for mean fundamental frequency level and mean fundamental frequency deviation. The oral reading samples were further analyzed for mean overall and mean sentence reading rates. The patient group was found to use a significantly larger fundamental frequency deviation during oral reading and a significantly slower oral reading rate. Mean fundamental frequency level for the patient group was somewhat higher than that of the control group but not significantly so. Variations in the extent of differences between the patient group and the control group were found as a function of diagnostic subclassification and severity of psychiatric involvement of the patients.

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