lec 8

Question 1

what does “quantal nature of speech” refer to?

Answer 1

not every change in vocal tract shape = change in formants

Question 2

if steady states according to SVT model are so critical for speech
perception, why are we understanding so much of speech if its deleted?

Answer 2

transitions appear to be more important

Question 3

an adequate description of vowels should include… (2)

Answer 3

• steady-state cues
• dynamic aspects

Question 4

what is motor equivalence?

Answer 4

can hear a sound no matter where/how it is produced

Question 5

what is the advantage of the quantal nature of speech?

Answer 5

helps listener identify vowels in diff contexts

Question 6

what is intrinsic pitch? what is one theory for this?

Answer 6

• high vowels have higher F0 than low vowels
• theory: tongue movement stretches vocal cords (guitar string analogy)

Question 7

what are the advantages of simple vowel target (SVT) model?

Answer 7

• economic (only 3 formants needed)
• easily measured if you have steady state
• speech synthesis

Question 8

what 3 variables do we need to describe a vowel?

Answer 8

1. formant pattern
2. duration
3. fundamental frequency

Question 9

what is a diphthong?

Answer 9

• a vowel w/ 2 diff targets within same syllable
• sound slowly changes relative to C-V transition time

Question 10

T or F: diphthongs are influenced by the same factors as vowels?

Answer 10

true

Question 11

which direction do diphthongs move in?

Answer 11

• open to close

Question 12

what are semi-vowels?

Answer 12

vowel-like sounds that function as consonants in syllable structure (“yes”)

Question 13

what are the artic differences bw diphthongs vs semi-vowels vs stops?

Answer 13

• diphthongs = slow
• semi-vowels = medium
• stops = fast

Question 14

what are the acoustic differences bw diphthongs vs semi-vowels vs stops?

Answer 14

• diphthongs = long
• semi-vowels = medium
• stops = short