Effect of Speaking Rate on Diphthong Formant Movements

Abstract

Duration and formant frequency measurements of the five diphthongs, /ɔɪ,aɪ,aʋ,eɪ,oɪ/, were made for three conditions of speaking rate. Results indicate that onset target position and second-formant rate of change are fixed features of the diphthong formant movement, while offset target positions are variable across changes in duration. Other measurements show that increased diphthong duration due to the presence of a following voiced consonant is accomplished by longer steady-state targets for /ɔɪ,aɪ,aʋ/ and longer glide durations for /eɪ,oʋ/. The data provide a basis for an articulatory description of diphthong production.