Acoustics of Vowels

Question 1

The frequency of F1 is determined by the ___ cavity

Answer 1

Pharyngeal

Question 2

Explain how tongue/jaw height has an influence on the volume of this pharyngeal cavity

Answer 2

Move from high to low = F1 increases

Move from back to front = F1 decreases

Question 3

State the relationship between tongue/jaw height and F1 frequency.

Give examples of two vowels with a high F1 frequency and two vowels with a low F1 frequency.

Answer 3

Lower tongue/jaw height → Higher F1 frequency
Higher tongue/jaw height → Lower F1 frequency

High F1 (low tongue/jaw): /ɑ/ (as in “father”)
Low F1 (high tongue/jaw): /u/ (as in “blue”)

Question 4

The frequency of the second formant (F2) is determined by the volume of the ________ cavity

Answer 4

Oral/front

Question 5

Explain how anterior/posterior placement of the tongue affects the volume of the oral cavity.

Answer 5

Anteriorly/front:
1. Oral cavity is smaller
2. F2 is increased

Postierorly/back:
1. Oral cavity is larger
2. F2 is decreased

Question 6

State the relationship between tongue backness and F2 frequency. Anterior and posterior

Give examples of two vowels with a high F2 frequency and two vowels with a low F2 frequency.

Answer 6

Front (anterior) tongue position → High F2 frequency
Back (posterior) tongue position → Low F2 frequency

High F2 (front vowels): /i/ (as in “see”), /e/ (as in “say”)
Low F2 (back vowels): /u/ (as in “blue”), /ɔ/ (as in “law”)

Question 7

How foes lip rounding influence F2 frequency

Answer 7

Lowers F2 frequency