An interactive atlas of English vowels: Design considerations

Abstract

Discussions of vowel quality differences in dialects of English are often based on imprecise, subjective descriptors (more open, slightly less back) and transcriptions rather than instrumental measurements. Available instrumental data focus on individual dialects rather than a broader picture of dialectal variation. In part to address these concerns, a database of vowel formant frequencies is currently being developed at the University of Washington, beginning with a sampling of static formant frequencies in the American West. The ultimate intent is to produce a web-based, expandable database, or atlas, of reference English vowel formant frequencies and audio examples. It is intended primarily as a pedagogical tool to accurately demonstrate vowel quality variation, and as a ‘‘jumping off point’’ for more intensive studies of acoustic variation. This poster discusses long- and short-term goals of the project, current data, the standardized methodology being used, web tools being developed, and the possibilities for future collaboration in data collection and analysis.