Computerized Two-Dimensional Model for Finnish Vowel Identifications'

Abstract

511 different vowel-like stimuli were produced using a computer and speech synthesizer OVE III B. Their first formant varied from 250 to 800 Hz and their second formant from 800 to 2 400 Hz, covering thus the formant frequencies of the eight Finnish vowels. The randomized stimuli were listened to by 32 young adults with normal hearing. The identifications were analyzed automatically with the computer and plotted on a two-dimensional plane as a function of F₁ and F². The resulting basic vowel identification chart demonstrates the areas where the stimuli were identified as a certain vowel. The chart offers the practical means for presentation and follow-up of individual articulatory and auditory capacities.

Key Words:

• Vowels
• Perception and production
• Graphic representation
• Rehabilitation