On the front cavity resonance and its possible role in speech perception.

Spectrographic data are presented which suggest that it may be possible to estimate the frequency of the fundamental resonance of the cavity behind the mouth opening, the ’’front cavity resonance,’’ from information in the speech signal. It is shown that place of articulation information in the steady states, transitions, and bursts of F2 (or sometimes F3) can be reinterpreted to be information from the front cavity resonance. Furthermore, a number of synthesis results that have appeared anomalous when described in terms of numbered formants seem to find a coherent explanation in terms of the front cavity resonance. Implications for theories of speech perception include the possibility that an estimate of front cavity resonance frequency may serve for continuous articulatory reference.Subject Classification: 70.20, 70.30.