Evaluating the vowel space effects of larynx height using laryngeal ultrasound

Authors

  • Scott R. Moisik Dept. of Linguistics, University of Victoria, PO Box 3045, BC, V8W 3P4, Canada
  • John H. Esling Dept. of Linguistics, University of Victoria, PO Box 3045, BC, V8W 3P4, Canada

Keywords:

Linguistics, Tubes (components), Ultrasonics, Absolute difference, Formant frequency, Optical flow algorithm, Tube model, Vocal tract lengths, Vocal-tracts, Vowel space

Abstract

A study that applies laryngeal ultrasound to the task of evaluating the effect of larynx height on vowel formant frequencies is presented. Larynx height is generally assumed to correlate positively with the resonant frequencies of the vocal tract. In the simple uniform tube model of the vocal tract, lengthening or shortening the tube to represent change to larynx height yields this effect, since resonant frequencies are inversely proportional to vocal tract length. Change in larynx height was observed using laryngeal ultrasound and quantified by means of an optical flow algorithm, a block-wise, absolute differences method. In phonetic terms, larynx raising entails epilaryngeal stricture. The uniform tube model does not account for the role of larynx height in epilaryngeal constriction. Part of the mechanism involves retraction of the tongue in conjunction with larynx raising, and this might account for the more elevated than normal laryngeal height and undershoot of larynx raising during open vowels.

Published

2011-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Moisik SR, Esling JH. Evaluating the vowel space effects of larynx height using laryngeal ultrasound. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2011Sep.1 [cited 2021Apr.17];39(3):180-1. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2470

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 3 (2011)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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