A perceptual study of cross-linguistic influence on vocal fry use in women exposed to two languages

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cross-linguistic influence has been observed across all domains of language. However, nothing is known about the role of cross-linguistic influence in bilingual speakers’ use of vocal fry. Several recent studies have identified an upsurge in the use of vocal fry among female speakers of American English. We sought to identify cross-linguistic influence in vocal fry use by women living in the US and exposed to both English and Spanish. Participants were categorized as functionally monolingual in English (n = 25), functionally monolingual in Spanish (n = 23) and relatively balanced bilingual (n = 10) based on responses to language experience questionnaires. Participants repeated two-, three-, and four-syllable English and Spanish nonwords. Each syllable was analyzed perceptually for the presence of vocal fry. Results showed that the functionally monolingual in Spanish group demonstrated cross-linguistic influence on the use of vocal fry, but the other groups did not. Early exposure to a language appeared more important than high language proficiency in blocking cross-linguistic influence of vocal fry use.