Aerodynamic Characteristics Associated With Production of Lexical Tones-A Study of Mandarin Chinese

This study investigated the aerodynamic characteristics underlying the production of Mandarin lexical tones by analyzing six parameters: maximal sound pressure level (MSPL), mean peak air pressure (MPAP), mean peak expiratory airflow (MPEA), mean aerodynamic resistance (MAR), mean aerodynamic power (MAP), and phonation duration (T).

Thirty healthy native Mandarin speakers (15 males, 15 females), aged 21-40, produced the syllable train /papapapapapapa/ using each of the four lexical tones. Air pressure and airflow signals were recorded using a pneumotachograph mask and intraoral pressure tubing. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed to examine tone- and gender-related differences.

Significant main effects were observed across tones for most parameters. MSPL was higher in Tones 1 and 4, particularly in males. MPAP and MAP were consistently greater for Tone 4 in both genders. MPEA and MAR also tended to be higher for Tone 4, especially among males. Tone 4 had the shortest phonation duration, while Tone 3 exhibited the longest. Significant gender differences were found for MPEA and MAP, with males producing higher values.

Subglottal pressure and expiratory airflow vary systematically across Mandarin tones, reflecting distinct physiological demands. These findings enhance our understanding of tonal phonation and may inform speech therapy targeting tone accuracy in tonal language speakers.