Effects of semantic predictability and regional dialect on vowel space reduction

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Phonetics
• Sociolinguistics

Background:

• Vowel reduction is influenced by semantic predictability.
• Previous studies indicate temporal and spectral reduction in high predictability contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between semantic predictability and regional dialect variation in American English speech.
• To analyze vowel duration, formant structure, and vowel space dispersion across different dialects and predictability levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of speech from college-aged female talkers from Northern, Midland, and Southern American English dialects.
• Measurement of vowel duration to assess temporal reduction.
• Examination of vowel formant structure and vowel space dispersion for spectral reduction.

Main Results:

• Temporal reduction of vowels was confirmed in high predictability contexts.
• Southern talkers exhibited overall spectral reduction.
• Northern talkers showed increased Northern Cities Vowel Shift in high predictability contexts.
• Midland talkers displayed no significant effects of semantic predictability.

Conclusions:

• Semantic predictability interacts with indexical factors (dialect) in vowel reduction.
• Dialect-specific patterns of vowel reduction emerge under varying semantic predictability.
• Findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay of cognitive and social factors in phonological change.