EVIDENCE FOR TONE-SPECIFIC ACTIVITY OF THE STERNOHYOID MUSCLE IN MODERN STANDARD CHINESE

The role of the cricothyroid muscle (CT) in raising F0 is well underst ood, but the activity of F0-lowering strap muscles such as the sternoh yoid (SH) has been less thoroughly investigated, especially in speech. This study focused on the active participation of the SH in the produ ction of tones 2 (mid-rising) and 4 (high-falling) in Modern Standard Chinese. The other tones, however, together with the role of the CT an d vocalis muscles, were also investigated in order to replicate earlie r findings and to provide a more comprehensive picture of the producti on of Chinese tones. EMG data recorded from two male speakers show tha t the SH is consistently utilized to reset F0 to mid-low value at the onset of tone 2. Based on a comparison with earlier results for Thai s peakers, we argue that this is a mandatory manoeuvre for producing ris ing F0 contours in most contexts. The SH muscle also participates in t he F0 fall of tone 4, but less consistently. We argue that the latter manoeuvre may not be obligatory, especially in the case of speakers wi th a high-pitched voice.