Dynamical Study of the Vowel Sounds, Part II

Comparative studies based on oscillographic records of the principal characteristics of vowel, semi-vowel, and consonant sounds, have contributed much to an understanding of the mechanism of speech. Analyses of the frequency spectra of vowels show almost invariably two principal resonance peaks which fact is suggestive of a double resonator to produce them. The present paper is concerned with the mechanism of the double resonator system and a mathematical treatment thereof. Based on the volume, shape and coupling of the resonating chambers, some models of cardboard, tube and plasticene were made, and with which some experimental tests in the production of vowels were carried out. The best success was had with the sound a (father) while fair results were obtained with the sound o, a and c.