Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Relationship between semivowels and vowels: cross-linguistic investigations of acoustic difference and coarticulation
Abstract:
Formant frequencies of the semivowels /j/ and /w/ in Amharic, Yoruba and Zuni were measured in three vowel environments. Cross-language differences were found between what are described as the same semivowels, i.e. different languages have different acoustic targets for /j/ and /w/. These cross-language differences in semivowels correlate with cross-language differences in the respective cognate vowels /i/ and /u/. Nonetheless, the semivowels differ in systematic ways from the vowels in directions that make them more 'consonantal'. These languages also differ in their patterns of coarticulation between semivowels and adjacent vowels. This shows, inter alia, that palatal segments differ from language to language in their degree of resistance to coarticulation. Because of these language-specific coarticulatory patterns, cross-language differences in acoustic targets can only be established after careful consideration of the effect of context.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Perception of Sound Waves
The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency and the pressure amplitude of the source. Two sounds of the same frequency...
Interference: Path Lengths
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Components of Language
Non-Verbal Cues
Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect

