Lecture 5

The vocal tract modifies the incoming sound energy through constrictions at various points

The speaker to have fast and efficient neuromuscular control, in order to achieve an appropriate sequence of movements within the mouth

VOT Formant transitions DDK tasks

Measures the timing, and therefore the coordination of the stop release

Are known to correlate to tongue movement and/or control. Speakers with a neurological condition will have difficulty in moving the tongue very far or very quickly, and therefore will have LONGER and FLATTER transitions than regular speakers

Measures the maximum speed and duration that a person can perform opening and closing articulatory gestures - a measure of coordination

The movement of the velum (open or closed) determines if air is released through the oral or nasal cavity. If the velum is inadequately closed, then the intra-oral air pressure will decrease (because volume has increased) and therefore other sounds may be weaker/distorted. Needs to be coordinated with the articulators.

Raised - to close the entry to the nasal passage and therefore block nasal airflow

• Nasalance • Measures of repetition rates of words loaded with nasals and stops • Measures of airflow and air pressure

The ratio of acoustic energy from the NASAL passage to the TOTAL acoustic energy

E.g. “pamper” - evaluates the speaker’s velopharyngeal control

Measure the airflow and air pressure in the nasal and oral cavities respectively. If the speaker cannot adequately close their velum then pressure in the oral cavity will be lower than normal