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Intonation and fundamental frequency in male-to-female transsexuals
V I Wolfe1, D L Ratusnik, F H Smith
1Speech and Hearing Clinic, Auburn University Montgomery, AL 36193.
The Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Male-to-female transsexuals perceived as having female voices exhibited distinct vocal patterns. These included higher fundamental frequency (fo) and specific intonation patterns, differentiating them from those perceived with male voices.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Voice Acoustics
- Transgender Voice Feminization
- Phonetics
Background:
- Understanding vocal characteristics is crucial for voice feminization in male-to-female transsexuals.
- Perceptual and acoustic analyses are key methods for evaluating voice quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate acoustic and perceptual differences in the voices of male-to-female transsexuals.
- To identify vocal parameters contributing to the perception of a feminine voice.
Main Methods:
- Collected conversational speech recordings from twenty male-to-female transsexual speakers.
- Conducted perceptual evaluations and acoustic analyses using a Visi-Pitch microcomputer system.
- Correlated acoustic measures with masculinity-femininity ratings.
Main Results:
- Speakers categorized with female voices had higher average fundamental frequency (fo) than those with male voices.
- Female-categorized voices showed less downward intonation, more upward intonation, and more downward shifts.
- Higher femininity ratings correlated significantly with higher fo and specific intonation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Average fundamental frequency and intonation patterns are perceptually salient for determining female voice quality in male-to-female transsexuals.
- Acoustic analysis provides objective measures to understand subjective voice perception.
- Findings inform therapeutic strategies for voice feminization.
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