Properties of Sound

Question 1

2 principles of speech production

Answer 1

1. maximum perceptual distinctiveness

2. maximum ease of production

Question 2

physical properties of sound

Answer 2

frequency
amplitude
duration

Question 3

frequency

Answer 3

how fast your vocal folds vibrate

F= 1/T

Question 4

amplitude

Answer 4

measurement of sound pressure or intensity; loudness

measured in dB

Question 5

duration

Answer 5

length of time a sound is sustained

measured in s or ms

Question 6

sound wave

Answer 6

movement of air molecules

Question 7

elastic medium

Answer 7

any medium in which the molecules, if disturbed, tend to return to their normal or resting state

Question 8

speed of sound (in air)

Answer 8

350 m/s at STP

Question 9

Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)

Answer 9

for air:
30 degrees Celcius
pressure at sea level
0% relative humidity

Question 10

silence

Answer 10

air molecules at rest; the absence of sound

context for sound

Question 11

aperiodic sounds

Answer 11

waves do not repeat

Question 12

simple aperiodic

Answer 12

singularities or transients
non speech: snap
speech: burst release –> [p], clicks, plosives, ejectives, implosives, oral stops

Question 13

complex aperiodic

Answer 13

ongoing, non-repeating
non speech: noise (“shhhh”), static
speech: frication –> fricatives, aspiration, breathiness

Question 14

periodic sounds

Answer 14

waves repeat

Question 15

simple periodic

Answer 15

ongoing and repeating; composed of only ONE frequency
non-speech: pure tone (synthesized–doesn’t exist in nature)
speech: no example

Question 16

complex periodic

Answer 16

ongoing and repeating; composed of MULTIPLE frequencies
non speech: sounds with pitch –> mosquito buzz, bird song, cricket legs
speech: vocal fold vibration and overtones –> voiced sounds and filtered sound qualities

Question 17

combinations of sound types in speech

Answer 17

since phonation and articulation are independent, the sounds produced in the laryngeal system and those produced in the supralaryngeal system can occur in various combinations
ex: VOT

Question 18

unvoiced stops ( [k] [t] [p] )

Answer 18

silence

simple aperiodic

Question 19

unvoiced, aspirated stops

Answer 19

silence
simple aperiodic
complex aperiodic

Question 20

voiced stops

Answer 20

complex periodic

simple aperiodic

Question 21

voiced fricatives

Answer 21

complex periodic

complex aperiodic

Question 22

voiced affricates

Answer 22

complex periodic
simple aperiodic
complex aperiodic