Fundamental frequency, intensity, and vowel duration characteristics related to perception of Cantonese alaryngeal speech

Fundamental frequency (F-0), F-0 contours, vowel duration, and intensity as sociated with Cantonese alaryngeal speech, and their relation to the percep tion of meaning were studied. Thirty adult male native Cantonese speakers p articipated in the study: 10 esophageal, 10 electrolaryngeal, and 10 laryng eal speakers. Results indicated that perceptually, listeners were able to i dentify what the Cantonese esophageal speakers were saying, particularly fo r words associated with high-level, low-falling and high-rising tonal conto urs. Acoustic analysis of the speech signals of the esophageal speakers ind icated that intensity and durational data did not contribute to the percept ion of meaning. The F-0 contours appeared to be the acoustic cues associate d with the signal that contributed most to the perception of meaning. Copyr ight (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.