Acoustic Phonetics

Speech Analysis:  Acoustic Phonetics

Acoustic Phonetics is the scientific analysis of speech sounds from the view of what we hear with the help of modern instrument (speech analyser) and  the computer. 

Thus, speech sounds can be captured, visualised and analysed.

Hence, it is also known as instrumental phonetics.

Speech sounds = sound wave and sound energy

Speech analysis is to examine speech waves based on the  classification of speech waves into 4 categories.

The elements of speech waves:

-----  amplitude  (height)

-----  duration    (length)

-----  wavelength  (width)

Classification of Speech Waves

-----  silence

-----  Burst

-----  Random

-----  Periodic

I.   Speech Waves

     Speech waves form when speech sounds are uttered.   In the word “good” , you will see the speech waves of [g]—[ʊ] – [d]

in the form of speech waves

----- [g] silence --  burst

----- [ʊ] the vowel ---periodic  

-----[d]  silence  

If these speech sounds are caught in the speech analyser, you will

see the speech waves ---small [g] ---big [ʊ] ---small [d].  Each of these speech sounds can be measured in terms of Amplitude, Duration and Wavelength.

Imagine the number of speech waves in speech you create daily conversation.  If you speak all the time, imagine the total length of your speech waves.  Can you visual the speech waves in the sentences?

       Sometimes you are good and kind.  Sometimes you are bad and unkind.  Sometimes you are fussy and nasty.  Sometimes you are cranky and cheeky.  Sometimes you are well-disciplined and well-behaved. 

    You may search Google for more information of “Speech Sound Waves”