Why the SQUARE vowel is the most variable in Sydney

Nhung Nguyen, Jason A. Shaw

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

    Abstract

    Vowel variability is often explained in terms of linguistic and social factors. We have observed another factor that predicts vowel variability. Within four different corpora of Australian English vowels, we find a consistent relationship between the mean and standard deviation of formant values. For both F1 and F2, increases in mean formant values go hand in hand with increased variability. Given this observation, we propose that inferences about vowel variability take the mean formant values into account. Doing so changes conclusions about which vowels are most variable, undergoing change, or likely to reflect meaningful social variation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 15th Australasian International Conference on Speech Science and Technology (SST2014), 2-5 December 2014, Rydges Latimer Hotel, Christchurch, New Zealand
    PublisherAustralasian International Conference on Speech Science and Technology
    Pages37-40
    Number of pages4
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    EventAustralasian International Conference on Speech Science and Technology -
    Duration: 2 Dec 2014 → …

    Publication series

    Name
    ISSN (Print)1039-0227

    Conference

    ConferenceAustralasian International Conference on Speech Science and Technology
    Period2/12/14 → …

    Keywords

    • English language
    • Australia
    • phonetics, acoustic
    • vowels

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