Acoustic characteristics of vowels in a Korean-Australian English bilingual speaker

Abstract

Vowel production in a Korean-Australian English bilingual single speaker was examined using personal computer-based analysis software, Pratt to compare Standard Australian English (SAusE) vowel production. Methods: The produced vowel quality of spectral and durational characteristics of Australian English stressed vowels were analyzed as first formant (F1), second formant 2 (F2), and temporal values. Results: Korean-English bilingual's vowel production showed altered vowel spaces and durations from its' SAusE. The trajectories of diphthongs showed unpredictable movements in contexts. Conclusions: The results implied that the speaker's articulators were limited, affecting the variety of formant values, and the dominant language influenced the participant's English vowel productions with a notable accent. Additionally, the vowel productions were affected by the varied consonantal environments. Vowel variations conveyed meaningful information of the speaker.