ISCA Archive SpeechProsody 2014
ISCA Archive SpeechProsody 2014

Speakers modulate noise-induced pitch according to intonational context

Simon Ritter, Timo B. Roettger

Recent studies have shown that speakers systematically modulate properties of voiceless segments according to intonational context. More specifically, in the absence of fundamental frequency (F0), speakers appear to adjust the Center of Gravity (CoG) and the intensity of voiceless fricatives to convey the impression of pitch. In line with these findings, the present production study extends earlier work and investigates noise-induced properties of fricatives, modulated by the intonation context. It is shown for German that the mean CoG and intensity of intended contours with a high boundary tone are higher than those produced for intended contours with a low boundary tone. Furthermore, looking at the development of CoG and intensity over the time course of the fricative, the trajectories corresponding to the boundary tones differ in intercept and slope, i.e. reveal a steeper fall in case of a corresponding falling tone.