Frequency of acoustical patterns in Spanish syllables

Abstract

This work aims at a better understanding of the internal acoustical structure of Spanish speech sounds. A sample of 43 000 words was used to analyze the frequency of occurrence of the main spectral patterns of 68 141 syllable‐sized segments. Acoustical syllabic components (ASC) were classed in periodic nonvocalic (P) and vocalic (V) sounds, bursts (B), and noise sounds (N). The first computer‐aided count gave the frequency of syllabic types in conjunction with their acoustical classes. Within type CV (55.8%) combinations of ASC were B + V 26.8%, P + V 18.6%, and N + V 10.4%. Within type CVC (15.8%) predominant combinations were B + V + P 5.5%, P + V + N, and B + V + N each one 2.7%. A second count gave the incidence of ASC in the first 3996 words. Combinations were P + V 29% and B + V 24%. Vowels sounds were 14%. The most frequent ASC in initial and final word position were registered. Starting words B + V are 40% and vowels 25%; terminating words B + V are 45% and P + V 30%. Relative occurrences of B + V in both positions indicate their high functional load at setting acoustical boundaries between Spanish words.