The Impact of Language on Voice: An LTAS Study

SummaryObjectivesThe present study investigates possible differences in sound characteristics associated with Farsi and Qashqai produced by Farsi-Qashqai bilinguals.Study DesignThis is a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study.MethodsThirty-two Farsi-Qashqai bilinguals (16 men and 16 women) participated in the study. Mean spectral energy (MSE) and spectral tilt (ST) obtained from long-term average speech spectra were extracted from continuous speech samples of Farsi-Qashqai bilingual speakers. MSE and ST were calculated using Praat and then compared between Farsi and Turkish.ResultsResults showed that bilingual speakers had higher MSE and lower ST in Farsi than in Turkish.ConclusionsFindings show that even with the same phonatory apparatus, spoken language affects the speaker's voice quality.