Title: Acoustic Measures of Nasalization and Nasality
Abstract:In this paper a description is given of four of the primary acoustic features that have been found to be associated with the nasalization of vowels. Comparative normal-nasal spectra are portrayed for ...In this paper a description is given of four of the primary acoustic features that have been found to be associated with the nasalization of vowels. Comparative normal-nasal spectra are portrayed for several vowels, and explanations to account for each of the prominent within-vowel differences are offered. In addition, other evidence is presented which is used to suggest that each of the primary acoustic features of nasalization may also be the result of factors quite unrelated to nasal coupling. These factors, manifestations of typical normal variations, are used to develop the thesis that it is not readily possible to isolate the acoustic features of nasalization within a given vowel spectrum. The implications of this thesis are then manifest in a questioning of the validity of the term, nasality.Read More