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An acoustic study of /s/ and /z/ in educated Singaporean English
Author
Koh, Richard Pee Chou
Supervisor
Deterding, David
Abstract
Speaking rate is usually mentioned as one of the factors that affects the production of speech sounds. Nonetheless, its effects have not been investigated in the local context. Singaporean English (SE) consonants and vowels have been widely researched but rarely do researchers study the behaviour of fricatives in particular.
This Academic Exercise (AE) thus explores new frontiers by studying the production of alveolar fricatives /s/ and /z/ in Educated Singaporean English (ESE), subjecting these two consonants in various positions to the effects of speaking rate. It also seeks to verify if ESE speakers distinguish between word-final /s/ and /z/. Finally it investigates if these phenomena exist differently for the two genders.
Spectrographic and statistical methods were employed in analyzing the data collected from twenty students from National Institute of Education (NIE). Evidence was found for speaking rate affecting the production of ESE Is1 and I d in various positions differently, with Is/ being most susceptible to shortening in word-initial position and I d being most resistant to shortening in word-medial position. In addition, ESE speakers did distinguish between word-final Is1 and Id, though in different ways from native speakers of English, contrary to the beliefs and findings of many researchers, as it was found that the vowel preceding word-final I d was longer, but only if there was a morpheme boundary. There was also no evidence for any significant difference between the two genders.
The sound files for the twenty subjects can be found on: http://www.arts.nie.edu.sp/ell/DavidD/niecsse/Richard/home.htm.
This Academic Exercise (AE) thus explores new frontiers by studying the production of alveolar fricatives /s/ and /z/ in Educated Singaporean English (ESE), subjecting these two consonants in various positions to the effects of speaking rate. It also seeks to verify if ESE speakers distinguish between word-final /s/ and /z/. Finally it investigates if these phenomena exist differently for the two genders.
Spectrographic and statistical methods were employed in analyzing the data collected from twenty students from National Institute of Education (NIE). Evidence was found for speaking rate affecting the production of ESE Is1 and I d in various positions differently, with Is/ being most susceptible to shortening in word-initial position and I d being most resistant to shortening in word-medial position. In addition, ESE speakers did distinguish between word-final Is1 and Id, though in different ways from native speakers of English, contrary to the beliefs and findings of many researchers, as it was found that the vowel preceding word-final I d was longer, but only if there was a morpheme boundary. There was also no evidence for any significant difference between the two genders.
The sound files for the twenty subjects can be found on: http://www.arts.nie.edu.sp/ell/DavidD/niecsse/Richard/home.htm.
Date Issued
2002
Call Number
PE3502.S55 Koh
Date Submitted
2002