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Control of vocal-tract length in speech
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|October 1, 1977
Summary
Constraining lip movements during vowel production causes compensatory larynx adjustments, especially for rounded vowels. This speech articulation strategy helps maintain vowel distinctiveness.
Area of Science:
- Phonetics
- Speech Science
- Linguistics
Background:
- Accurate control of vocal-tract length is crucial for vowel production.
- Vocal-tract length is influenced by vertical larynx position and lip spreading/protrusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if constrained lip spreading/protrusion leads to compensatory vertical larynx displacements.
- To examine this effect specifically on rounded vowels.
Main Methods:
- Photoelectric monitoring of upper lip and larynx movement.
- Comparison of normal speech versus constrained lip activity in French and Mandarin speakers.
- Production of vowels /i, y, u/ under both conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in upper-lip protrusion and larynx position were observed based on the vowel produced.
- Constraining lip protrusion resulted in a lower larynx position for rounded vowels.
- Lip and larynx movements showed interdependence during vowel articulation.
Conclusions:
- Compensatory articulations play a role in speech production.
- These adjustments contribute to a strategy that preserves vowel contrast.
- Findings support the interaction between lip and laryngeal articulations for vowel clarity.