Priyanka Samant L&S Social Sciences
CF0 and Voicing in Singleton v. Geminate Plosives
A highly debated phenomenon within the phonetics-phonology interface is why consonant intrinsic fundamental frequency (CF0) differs based on voicing, or whether a sound theoretically involves vocal fold vibration. Cross-linguistically, voiced sounds (such as /b/, /d/, and /g/) have a low CF0, while voiceless sounds (such as /p/, /t/, and /k/) have a high CF0. Two theories drive this debate: a physiological account arguing that variation in anatomical muscle positioning accounts for this difference, and a phonological account arguing that mental abstractions of sounds are more crucial. Little work has been done on how CF0 may be affected not just by voicing, but also by closure duration, or whether a consonant is a singleton (short) or a geminate (long). My research investigates how both variables affect CF0 using the understudied Dravidian languages (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam) as a case study, each with a unique phonemic inventory suited to test both. Using production and perception experiments, I will examine how multiple cues shape CF0 realization, and how results may contribute to resolving or positing a new theory concerning the debate.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much for funding this project! The CF0 phenomenon and its many nuances have puzzled me for a very long time, and I’m excited to be able to contribute new experimental results to investigate it. I am especially happy to do so using the Dravidian language family, which is relatively underrepresented in the literature surrounding the phonetics-phonology interface. I’m grateful for this wonderful opportunity and hope to soon contribute novel information to the field of phonetics!