Acoustic parameters that differentiate /o/ from /u/ in Seoul Korean

Abstract

Earlier studies reported that the /o/ and /u/ phonemes of Seoul Korean were currently merging in the F1/F2 space. However, studies on perception tests have shown that rates of correctness were high, even in cases where the two vowels overlapped. This study explores whether there is another acoustic parameter that differentiates /o/ from /u/, besides the F1/F2 contrast. Seventy-five native speakers of Seoul Korean, born between 1953 and 1999, participated in a production test. The data collected were analyzed in terms of F1 and F2, H1-H2, and F0. The result shows that the /o/ and /u/ of female speakers almost overlap in the F1/F2 space for all ages, while H1-H2 values are significantly different between the two vowels regardless of age. On the other hand, the /o/ and /u/ of male speakers are largely well separated in the F1/F2 space, while the H1-H2 values between the two vowels are very close at all ages. F0 effect is relatively small for both male and female speakers, even though there is a statistically significant difference. The result of this study provides evidence that female speakers use phonation differences to distinguish /o/ from /u/, and that the F1/F2 contrast has been replaced by H1-H2 values.

Perceptual cues for /o/ and /u/ in Seoul Korean

“…자는 문헌에 따라 상기와 같은 이전의 상태(ᅩ/ᅮ가 충분히 떨 어져 있는 상태)를 보여주는 경우 (Yang, 1996)와 ᅩ/ᅮ가 근접한 상태를 보여주는 경우가 있다 (Jung, 1997;Lee, 1998;Seoug, 2004). 보다 아랫세대인 1980년 이후 출생자는 ᅩ/ᅮ가 근접한 상태만을 보여준다 (Cho, 2003;Ahn, 2004;Moon, 2007;Kim et al, 2008;Oh, 2012 (Kang et al, 2010;Kim et al, 2013;Byun, 2018; cf. (Cho, 2003;Ahn, 2004;Seong, 2004;Cha, 2007;Moon, 2007;Oh, 2012;Yoon & Kang, 2014).…”

“…/ㅗ/와 /ㅜ/의 H1-H2(Byun 2018) Figure 3. Mean H1-H2s of /o/ and /u/ with SD (Figure modified fromByun, 2018)…”