F0 declination and reset in read speech of African American and White American women

Abstract

This study evaluates F0 declination and reset in read speech produced by African American and White women speakers of American English as an active, linguistically-controlled process. The results demonstrate that African American women have less change in F0 over the duration of the breath group unit than White peers. There was no evidence of the use of final level or rising pitch as documented in informal African American English. The results indicate that in formal interactions, such as those expected in the educational and therapy settings, adult female African American speakers will use F0 declination and reset in sentence level breath groups in a manner consistent with White peers. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.