Which of the following formants typically characterizes a high vowel?

Which of the following formants typically characterizes a high vowel?

• A. High-frequency second formant (F2)
• B. High-frequency first formant (F1)
• C. Low-frequency first formant (F1)
• D. Low-frequency second formant (F2)

Answer: (C)

The correct answer, which highlights the features of high vowels, emphasizes the characteristics of the first formant (F1). High vowels, such as /i/ in “see” or /u/ in “blue,” are associated with a low F1 because as vowel height increases, the frequency of the first formant decreases. Specifically, a low F1 indicates a high tongue position, which is a defining trait of high vowels. In terms of formants, the characteristic of high vowels can help differentiate them from low vowels, which tend to have higher F1 values, reflecting the lower tongue positioning. While the second formant (F2) does have a high frequency, relating to the tongue's frontness/backness in the vowel space rather than height, F1 is the crucial frequency tied to height. Understanding these acoustic properties helps in analyzing vowel sounds in speech and can be crucial for various assessments in speech-language pathology.

The correct answer, which highlights the features of high vowels, emphasizes the characteristics of the first formant (F1). High vowels, such as /i/ in “see” or /u/ in “blue,” are associated with a low F1 because as vowel height increases, the frequency of the first formant decreases. Specifically, a low F1 indicates a high tongue position, which is a defining trait of high vowels.

In terms of formants, the characteristic of high vowels can help differentiate them from low vowels, which tend to have higher F1 values, reflecting the lower tongue positioning. While the second formant (F2) does have a high frequency, relating to the tongue's frontness/backness in the vowel space rather than height, F1 is the crucial frequency tied to height.

Understanding these acoustic properties helps in analyzing vowel sounds in speech and can be crucial for various assessments in speech-language pathology.