Cover not available
Article published In:
The Syllable and its Prosody in Chinese
Edited by Lian-Hee Wee, Feng Wang and Yuan Liang
[Language and Linguistics 23:1] 2022
► pp. 116–139

A preliminary study on nasalization and phonation

The case of Bai

| Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
| Peking University
Although it is widely acknowledged that different speech processes may interact with each other, the way that nasalization affects phonation remains poorly understood. This paper explores the relationship between nasalization and phonation, by analyzing the phonetic cues of the tense/lax distinction both in nasalization and non-nasalization in the Bai language. The data for discussion is from two Bai dialects, Chengbei and Jinhua, which have a tense/lax distinction in both nasalized and non-nasalized syllables. Three phonation parameters – fundamental frequency (F0), open quotient (OQ), and speed quotient (SQ) – are extracted from EGG signals for analysis. It is found that the influence of nasalization on phonation varies with the tone contours. As for the level tones, the role of phonation manner in tone distinction is not evident in nasalization in that tense tones can be distinguished from lax tones only by pitch. However, in non-nasalization, phonation manner plays an indispensable role in tone distinction, in that the contrast between tense and lax tones are reflected not only on F0 but also on OQ and SQ. Moreover, non-nasalized tense tones are more likely to be accompanied by non-modal phonation that is characterized by a significantly higher SQ. In terms of articulatory explanation, high SQ in non-modal phonation is the result of the vibration of tightened vocal folds, and the tension of vocal folds is caused by raising the soft palate in non-nasalization. As for the falling tones, the role of phonation manner in tone distinction is more salient in nasalization than in non-nasalization in Chengbei Bai, but it is not attested in Jinhua Bai. This study shows that the interaction between nasalization and phonation in Bai can be revealed in the analysis of phonation parameters, i.e. F0, OQ, and SQ.
Keywords: nasalization, phonation, Bai, fundamental frequency, open quotient, speed quotient
Article outline
  • 1.Literature review
    • 1.1Research into phonation in Bai
    • 1.2Phonation and nasalization
  • 2.Introduction of two Bai dialects
  • 3.Research methods
    • 3.1Speakers and recording samples
      • 3.1.1Chengbei Bai
      • 3.1.2Jinhua Bai
    • 3.2Sample recordings
    • 3.3Extraction of parameters
  • 4.The data of Chengbei Bai
    • 4.1Phonation pattern
    • 4.2The strategy of tone distinction
    • 4.3Nasalization and phonation
  • 5.The data of Jinhua Bai
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Published online: 15 December 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lali.00101.li
References
Armstrong, WM.G.
1997 Changge shi de ruan’e [On the soft palate during singing]. In Liang Xue (ed.), Gechang de fangfa [Techniques of singsing], 2nd edn., 398–403. Beijing: Zhongguo Wenlian Chubanshe.Google Scholar
Bao, Huaiqiao & Lü, Shinan
1992 Mengguyu Chaha’er hua yuanyin songjin de shegnxue fenxi [The phonetic analysis of tense and lax vowels of Chaha’er Mongolian]. Minzu Yuwen [Minority Languages of China] 1992(1). 61–68Google Scholar
Benner, Allison
2009 Production and perception of laryngeal constriction in the early vocalizations of Bai and English infants. Victoria: University of Victoria. (Doctoral dissertation.)
Chao, Yuen Ren
1980[1930] A system of “tone letters”. Fangyan [Dialect] 1980(2). 81–83. (Originally published in Le Maître Phonétique 45(30). 24–27.)Google Scholar
Dai, Qingxia & Zhao, Yanzhen
2009 Zhaozhuang Bai yu gaikuang [A brief introduction of Bai language Zhaozhuang speech]. Minzu Yuwen [Minority languages of China] 2009(3).109–126.Google Scholar
Edmondson, Jerold A. & Esling, John H. & Li, Shaoni & Harris, Jimmy G. & Ziwo, Lama
2000 Lun yiyu, baiyu de yinzhi he shaohuiyanjidai de guanxi: Houjing anli yanjiu [The aryepiglottic holds and voice quality in Yi and Bai languages: Laryngoscopic case studies] Minzu Yuwen [Minority languages of China] 2000(6). 47–53.Google Scholar
Edmondson, Jerold A. & Li, Shaoni
1994 Voice quality and voice quality change in the Bai language of Yunnan Province. Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area 17(2). 49–68.Google Scholar
Edmondson, Jerold A. & Ziwo, Lama & Esling, John H. & Harris, Jimmy G. & Li, Shaoni
2001 The aryepiglottic folds and voice quality in the Yi and Bai languages: Laryngoscopic case studies. Mon-Khmer Studies Journal 311. 83–100.Google Scholar
Esling, John H.
2005 There are no back vowels: The laryngeal articulator model. Canadian Journal of Linguistics 50(1–4). 13–44. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Fant, Gunnar
1960 Acoustic theory of speech production: With calculations based on X-ray studies of Russian articulations. The Hague: Mouton.Google Scholar
Garellek, Marc & Ritchart, Amanda & Kuang, Jianjing
2016 Breathy voice during nasality: A cross-linguistic study. Journal of Phonetics. 591. 110–121. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Gong, Xijie & Li, Xuan & Wang, Feng
2018 Dali Longfengcun Bai yu gaikuang [A field report on Longfeng Bai]. Hanzangyu Xuebao [Journal of Sino-Tibetan Linguistics] 101. 63–90.Google Scholar
Kong, Jiangping
1996 Hani yu fasheng leixing shengxue yanjiu ji yinzhi gainian de taolun [Discussion on the phonation type and sound quality in Hani language]. Minzu Yuwen [Minority Languages of China] 1996(1). 40–46.Google Scholar
2001 Lun yuyan fasheng [On language phonation]. Beijing: China Minzu University Press.Google Scholar
Ladefoged, Peter & Johnson, Keith
2011 A course in phonetics. 6th edn. Boston: Cengage.Google Scholar
Li, Shaoni
1992 Lun Bai yu de shegnmen hunhe jicayin [On the combination of glottal squeezing and frication in the Bai language]. Minzu Yuwen [Minority Languages of China] 1992(4). 68–72.Google Scholar
Li, Shaoni & Ai, Jierui
1990 Yunnan Jianchuan Bai yu yinzhi he yindiao leixing: Diannao yuyin shiyan baogao [The sound quality and tone type of Jianchuan Bai in Yunnan: A report of computer phonetics experiment]. Zhongyang Minzu Daxue Xuebao (Zhexue Shehui Kexue Ban) [Journal of Minzu University of China (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition)] 1990(5). 70–74.Google Scholar
Li, Xuan
2017 Meiba Bai yu shengdiao de fasheng bianyi yanjiu [A study of variations of phonation features in Meiba Bai]. Beijing: Peking University. (Master’s thesis.)
Li, Xuan & Wang, Feng
2016 Meiba Baiyu shengdiao de fasheng bianyi chutan [A preliminary study of variations of phonation features in Meiba Bai]. Yuyanxue Luncong [Essays on Linguistics] 541. 179–196.Google Scholar
Liu, Wen & Wang, Feng & Kong, Jiangping
2019 Beiwuliqiao Bai yu shengdiao de fasheng ji bianyi yanjiu [An acoustic study on the phonation variations of tones in Beiwuliqiao Bai]. Dangdai Yuyanxue [Contemporary Linguistics] 2019(1). 119–138.Google Scholar
Maddieson, Ian & Ladefoged, Peter
1985 “Tense” and “lax” in four minority languages of China. Journal of Phonetics 13(4). 433–454. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Matisoff, James A.
1975 Rhinoglottophilia: The mysterious connection between nasality and glottality. In Ferguson, Charles A. & Hyman, Larry H. & Ohala, John J. (eds.), Nasálfest: Papers from a symposium on nasals and nasalization, 265–287. Stanford: Language Universals Project, Department of Linguistics, Stanford University.Google Scholar
Ohala, John J.
1971 Monitoring soft palate movements in speech. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 50 (1A). 140. (Paper presented at the 81st Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Washington, D.C, 20–23 April 1971.) DOI logo
1972 Physical models in phonology. In Rigault, André & Charbonneau, René (eds.), Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences: Held at the University of Montreal and McGill University 22–28 August 1971, 1166–1171. The Hague: Mouton. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Singhal, Nishant & Das, Pradip K.
2013 Study of acoustic properties of nasal and nonnasal vowels in temporal domain. Computer Science and Information Technology 3(6). 305–314. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Wang, Feng
2012 Yuyan jiechu yu yuyan bijiao: Yi Bai yu weili [Language contact and language comparison: The case of Bai]. Beijing: The Commercial Press.Google Scholar
2015 Variations of laryngeal features in Jianchuan Bai, Journal of Chinese Linguistics 43 (1B). 434–452. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Wang, Feng & Kong, Jiangping
2009 Wuding Yiyu songjinyin yanjiu [A study of lax/tense voice in the Wuding Yi]. Zhongguo Yuyanxue [Chinese linguistics] 21. 98–118.Google Scholar
Wu, Fan
2013 Lun ruane yu gechang fasheng zhi guanxi [On the relationship between soft palate and phonation in singing]. Wuhan: Wuhan Conservatory of Music. (Master’s thesis.)
Xu, Lin & Zhao, Yansun
1984 Baiyu jianzhi [A brief description of Bai]. Beijing: The Ethnic Publishing House.Google Scholar
Yang, Xiaoxia & Gao, Tianjun
2016 Cong fashengtai kan Bai yu de jinyin [On tense sounds in the Bai language from in the perspective of phonation]. Minzu Yuwen [Minority Languages of China] 2016(6). 90–95.Google Scholar
Zhao, Jincan
2010 Yunnan Heqing Bai yu yanjiu [A description of Heqing Bai language]. Beijing: Minzu University of China. (Doctoral dissertation.)