In an attempt to determine the response characteristics of the larynx in voluntary pitch change, five adult male subjects were instructed to execute a variety of continuous pitch changes, as rapidly as possible, within the range 90–220 Hz. For a given pitch interval, there was a marked tendency for all upward pitch change to take longer than a downward pitch change. Also, unexpectedly, there was no marked tendency for a change involving a wide pitch interval to take longer than a change involving. a smaller interval. Speculations on the physiological reasons for these relations, as well as their possible relevance to the phonology of tone and intonation, will be offered. [Supported by the National Science Foundation and a University of California Faculty Research Grant.]
There is extensive evidence that in the same phonetic environment the voice fundamental frequency (Fo) of vowels varies directly with vowel "height." This Fo difference between vowels could be caused by acoustic interaction between the first vowel formant and the vibrating vocal folds. Since higher vowels have lower first formants than low vowels the acoustic interaction should be greatest for high vowels whose first formant frequencies are closer in frequency to Fo. Ten speakers were used to see if acoustic interaction could cause the Fo differences. The consonant [m] was recorded in the utterances [umu] and [ama]. Although the formant structure of [m] in [umu] and [ama] should not differ significantly, the Fo of each [m] allophone was significantly different. However, the Fo of each [m] allophone did not differ significantly from the Fo of the following vowel. These results did not support acoustic interaction. However, it is quite reasonable to conclude that the Fo variation of [m] was caused by coarticulatory anticipation of the tongue and jaw for the following vowel. Another experiment is offered in order to help explain the physical causes of intrinsic vowel Fo. In this experiment Fo lowering was found at the beginning of vowels following Arabic pharyngeal approximants. This finding indicates that the Fo of pharyngeal constricting vowels, e.g., [ae] and [a], might be lowered as a result of similar articulary movements, viz. tongue compression and active pharyngeal constriction.
High vowels have a higher intrinsic pitch of voice than low vowels all other things being equal. In order to find the cause for these intrinsic pitch differences, two experiments were performed. The first was a study of the movement of the larynx using a photocell/computer tracking technique. The most common pattern found for larynx position during vowel production was /i/ most superior and relatively anterior, /a/ intermediate and posterior, and /u/ always lowest and generally most anterior, relative to /i/ and /a/. These results may possibly suggest that changes in vocal fold length contribute to intrinsic pitch differences between vowels. The low larynx position for the vowel /u/ apparently helps to enlarge the pharyngeal cavity to meet the acoustic requirements for this vowel. Larynx lowering with pharyngeal wall expansion should increase vocal fold tension and elevate pitch slightly. Inferior pharyngeal muscle constriction may account for the posterior position and low intrinsic pitch of the vowel /a/. A second experiment was designed to shed light on this possible mechanism. The effects of Arabic pharyngeal approximates on vowel pitch vis-a-vis the effects of Arabic stops were investigated, since pharyngeal constriction is a key feature for their production. Arabic pharyngeal approximates were found to cause a significantly lower pitch on following vowels than Arabic bilabial, alveolar, and velar stops. This is evidence that pharyngeal constriction and tongue retraction lower pitch. If pharyngeal constriction and tongue retraction vary inversely with vowel height, the same forces may act to automatically lower vowel pitch. Other hypotheses to account for intrinsic pitch differences between vowels are reviewed in the light of these pitch and larynx movement results and in the light of the Arabic pharyngeal effects observed. [This research is supported by the National Science Foundation.]
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