Title:
The effect of speech therapy on vowel formant frequencies in transgender male-to-female speakers
Author:
Briana R. Figallo
Thesis Advisor:
Sally Gallena
Committee Member:
Janet Preis
Committee Member:
Kathlenn Siren
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2016
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
For male-to-female (MtF) transgender speakers, achieving voice that matches their desired gender is a critical component of a successful gender transition. Current research suggests that increasing fundamental frequency (F0) to a feminine range is the most salient factor in achieving feminine voice, but raising F0 in and of itself is often not sufficient to give the perceptual impression of a female speaker. Limited research suggests that vowel formant frequencies also need to increase to give the perception of feminine voice. Currently there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the relationship between F0 and vowel formant frequencies. In addition, the efficacy of speech therapy in raising vowel formant frequencies has not been proven. Thus, the purpose of this research was twofold and sought to investigate whether vowel formants in MtF speakers automatically align with female vowel formant ranges when F0 increases to a feminine range, and whether MtF speakers can change vowel formants to align with female vowel formant ranges by purposefully adjusting articulator placement. Results of this single subject study indicated that vowel formants F2 and F3 do not automatically align with female vowel formant ranges when F0 reaches a feminine range. Results also showed that it is possible for MtF speakers to raise vowel formant frequencies F2 and F3 through purposeful adjustments in articulation. The information gained from this study lends increased significance to previous research regarding the efficacy of articulation therapy in MtF clients.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Master of Science
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
Use and Reproduction:
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Identifier:
FigalloBR-16
