Temporal and spectral variability of vowels within and across languages with small vowel inventories: Russian, Japanese, and Spanish

Abstract

Variability of vowels in three languages with small vowel inventories (Russian, Japanese, and Spanish) was explored. Three male speakers of each language produced vowels in two-syllable nonsense words (VCa) in isolation and three-syllable nonsense words (gaC1VC2a) embedded within carrier sentences in three contexts: bilabial stops in normal rate sentences and alveolar stops in both normal and rapid rate sentences. Dependent variables were syllable duration and formant frequency at syllable midpoint. Results showed very little variation across consonant and rate conditions in formants for /i/ in Russian and Japanese. Japanese short /u, o, a/ showed fronting (F2 increases) in alveolar context, which was more pronounced in rapid sentences. Fronting of Japanese long vowels was less pronounced. Japanese long/short vowel ratios varied with speaking style (isolation versus sentences) and speaking rate. All Russian vowels except /i/ were fronted in alveolar context, but showed little change in either spectrum or duration with speaking rate. Spanish showed a strong effect of consonantal context: front vowels were backed in bilabial context and back vowels were fronted in alveolar context, also more pronounced in rapid sentences. Results will be compared to female productions of the same languages, as well as American English production patterns.