ACOUSTIC AND PHONOLOGICAL FACTORS IN VOWEL IDENTIFICATION

Vowels are better identified in a consonantal syllabic context than as isolated vowels. This finding is contrary to predictions from traditional theories of vowel perception. The poor perception of isolated vowels might be attributable to a lack of dynamic acoustic cues or to familiarity effects related to the phonological rules of English. Vowel identification tests were conducted on 170 undergraduates using 6 talkers, 9 vowels, and 7 syllabic contexts. Consonantal context improved vowel identification; final consonants aided identification more than initial consonants. Nonconsistent support was found for the effect of phonological rules, but duration information was seen to play a critical role. Results constitute a challenge to traditional theories of vowel perception. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.