Individual variation in the use of non-F0 cues in the realization of accentual contrasts

Abstract

Previous analysis of Greek H*, L + H*, and H* + L used FPCA on the f0 contours of these accents (N = 844; 13 speakers), and showed that they are distinguished by their PC1 and PC2 scores: PC1 captures differences in pitch height (H* < L + H* < H* + L) and PC2 differences in accent shape. We extend this analysis by investigating the use of voice quality (H1-H2) and duration in distinguishing the accents, with a focus on individual variation in the use of these cues. Results obtained from Bayesian multivariate analysis demonstrate considerable variability in the use of voice quality and duration in distinguishing between L + H* and H*, as compared to H* + L and H*. Specifically, all speakers used F0 to distinguish H* + L and L + H* from H*. In addition, 7/13 speakers employed a breathier voice to distinguish H* + L from H*, while the use of duration as a cue was relatively infrequent. In contrast, 8/13 speakers employed voicing and 7/13 employed duration to distinguish L + H* from H*, with most speakers using at least one parameter in addition to F0 to make this accentual distinction. These results highlight the importance of investigating non-F0 cues used in encoding intonation categories, as well as individual variation in such use.