Abstract:

Vowel reduction as a function of speaking rate within individuals has been well established (Fourakis, 1991; van Bergem, 1995; Weismer et al., 1995). This phenomenon is challenged by the finding that differences exist in the control of speech rate for both slow and fast talker groups (see Tsao, 1995). This study will therefore examine vowel reduction in the speech of individuals separated on the rate continuum (i.e., slow versus average versus fast). The hypothesis that the habitual vowel spaces and the rate-induced degree of vowel reduction is different for habitually slow versus fast talkers will be explored. Subjects will produce a reading passage, and vowel reduction will be measured based on the target frequencies for F1, F2, and F3 for the four corner vowels (e.g., /a/, /i/, /ae/, /u/). A linear ergression function will be used to demonstrate the relationship between vowel reduction of the 60 subjects (15 slow, 15 fast, and 30 average) and their habitual speech rate along the rate continuum. [Work supported by University of Nebraska---Kearney and UW---Madison Speech Acoustics Laboratory.]