Different languages, different voices: evidence from Portuguese/English bilinguals' speech

Abstract

Voice quality results from the modulation of vocal tract articulators and laryngeal activity and produces a long-term effect in speech production and perception. Bilingual speakers can alter voice quality when speaking different languages, according to evidence shown in research in the field. The present study shows results from a voice production experiment in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and English (EN) by Brazilian bilingual speakers. The experiment consisted of the recordings of reading and semi-spontaneous tasks in BP and EN. Results show statistically significant differences between languages in f0 measures, as well as in spectral characteristics (LTAS) between languages and tasks.

Keywords:
Voice Quality; L2 Speech; Acoustic Analysis