Lecture 3 - Principles of Phonation

Question 1

What is the myoelastic aerodynamic theory of phonation?

Answer 1

proved that the vocal folds are powered by air, not by muscular effort.

Question 2

What is the Bernoulli effect?

Answer 2

occurs due to the constriction in the glottis as the vocal folds are returning to the adducted state.

Question 3

What is the source filter theory?

Answer 3

Describes speech production as a two-step process
1. For voiced phonemes the source is the complex glottal tone produced by the vibration of the vocal folds.
2. The vocal tract, which consists of the throat, mouth and nose, filters or shapes the tone produced by the vocal folds in speech sounds.

Question 4

Fundamental frequency:

Answer 4

the strongest and slowest vibration
what we describe as the pitch

Question 5

Harmonics

Answer 5

come from the vocal folds

Question 6

Formants:

Answer 6

air in the vocal tract vibrates at different pitches, depending on the size and shape of the opening

Question 7

voiceless (whisper) phonation

Answer 7

vocal folds are tensed and rigid, held slightly apart
rigidness prevents the folds from vibrating

Question 8

breathy phonation

Answer 8

the vocal folds are tensed appropriately for vibration but not fully adducted so that complete closure does not occur

Question 9

Modal phonation (normal phonation)

Answer 9

vocal folds are completely closed so they cover the airway
vocal folds are also tensed to some degree

Question 10

creaky phonation