ISCA Archive Eurospeech 1993
ISCA Archive Eurospeech 1993

Fundamental frequency of dutch women: an evaluative study

Renee van Bezooijen

It is generally assumed that the mean pitch (fundamental frequency) of a speaker's voice is determined both by physiological-anatomical and cultural factors. The present study is the first in a series of studies which aim at gaining insight into the cultural component of the pitch of women. This will be done (1) by examining the culture dependent and culture independent associations of different pitch levels in women with personality characteristics and (2) by examining the evaluations of these personality characteristics in women. The study reported on focused on the associations of Dutch listeners. Their personality ratings of pitch manipulated voices of Dutch women revealed a systematic association of low pitch with large, relaxed, arrogant, high prestige, male, insensitive, independent, strong, adult, and rational. Ratings for depressed, modern, sincere, and strange were not affected by the pitch manipulations. These results will be compared with the responses of the same Dutch listeners towards Belgian and Japanese women, and, in a later stage, to the ratings given by Belgian and Japanese listeners. Evaluations of the personality traits, in terms of desirable or undesirable, will also be examined. Ultimately, the findings will be related to differences in the production of F0 among Dutch, Belgian, and Japanese women.

Keywords: pitch, cultural determinants