Effect of aspiration on the fundamental frequency of the following vowel

Abstract

The fundamental frequency of a vowel following a voiceless obstruent is higher than after a voiced obstruent. The effect of a voiceless vs a voiceless aspirated stop on the frequency of the following vowel is not as straightforward. In Korean the onset F0 of a vowel is higher after the voiceless aspirated series (Han, 1967). These data were used (Hombert, 1975) to explain that when both series are involved in a tone development, the aspirated series generally give rise to a higher phonological tone. However, Gandour (1974) presents data showing that in Thai vowels following voiceless aspirated stops have a slightly lower F0 onset. In this study five American English and five French speakers spoke 6 CV words (C = [p, t, k, b, d, g] and V = [i]. Fundamental frequency measurements were made at the onset of the vowel and 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 msec after vowel onset. The voiceless series has a different effect in each language. The F0 onset is higher after the American 31English series. Physiological data (glottal opening measurements) accompanying these differences will be discussed.