The temporal location of rms peak in coarticulated vowels

Abstract

The acoustic energy peak of the vowel, here defined as the rms peak, occurs typically before the temporal vowel midpoint. This study examines whether and how the location of the rms peak varies as a function of consonantal context and vowel duration. Four measures of rms peak location were explored: its distance (in ms) from vowel onset and from CVC‐word onset (absolute measures) and its relative position (ranging from 0 to 100%) within the vowel and within the CVC‐word (relative measures). Analysis of eight American English vowels produced in ten consonantal contexts by twenty speakers shows that the two relative measures yielded the most comparable and consistent patterns. The relative location of rms peak varied significantly as a function of consonantal context. It occurred earlier (i.e., closer to vowel or word onset) in the context of fricatives (and not stops), voiced consonants (as opposed to voiceless), and labials (as opposed to alveolars). The temporal location of rms peak was also closer to the vowel onset (or word onset) for long vowels as opposed to short. Explanation of these patterns will be provided.