2008/09/10

Abramson, A. S. 1978. Static and dynamic acoustic cues in distinctive tones. Language and Speech, 21(4), 319–325.

Presentation: Angela

Summary: Chris

In many tone languages, lexical tones were divided into two major categories, static and dynamic. The aim of this study was to test whether this dichotomy could be supported by empirical data. Central Thai, with three static tones and two dynamic tones (falling vs. rising), was the target language here. In Experiment 1, level F₀ contours with an incremental F₀ value of 4 Hz were imposed on the syllable [k^ha] and were played to subjects afterwards. Results showed that subjects could identify the stimuli as level tones depending on the F₀ height of stimuli accordingly. In Experiment 2, the endpoints of a contour were manipulated upward or downward from a mid origin of 120 Hz while the beginning point of a contour remained 120 Hz. This manipulation predominantly elicited responses of static tones. Moreover, the identification rate was improved compared to Experiment 1. It was concluded that, although F₀ height was crucial for the identification of static tones, F₀ movements had additional positive effects on tonal identification as well. In Experiment 3, the endpoint of a contour was manipulated from 90 Hz to 150 Hz and the beginning point of a contour was constantly 90 Hz. The author predicted that responses of dynamic tones would increase if there was a drastic F₀ movement. Results showed that more rising tone responses were found when the slope of F₀ movement became steeper. In sum, it was concluded that F₀ height was the predominant cue for the identification of level tones and F₀ movement could more or less contribute to the identification at the same time. Furthermore, F₀ movement served as major cue for the identification for static tones and dynamic tones.