Formant variability is related to vowel duration across speakers

Abstract

This study examined both the between-subject and within-subject relationships between vowel duration and formant variability during productions of both isolated words and connected speech by analyzing three existing datasets (N=132). A positive between-subject correlation was observed in isolated words and, marginally, in connected speech. This finding is consistent with the idea that individuals who are more variable rely more on feedback-based control for vowel production, as longer durations allow more time for online corrections. Conversely, no such correlation was found within speakers at the trial level, suggesting that individuals do not modify their vowel duration online for each production.