Acoustics and Linguistics

[Tally M.]

I have to write a 2-page (single-spaced) application paper for my acoustics class, and I'm having trouble coming up with a topic. I want to tie it to linguistics, and have considered the following options:

Acoustics as it relates to sound change (based off BQ #66899)
Voice impersonation

Any other suggestions? These ones aren't my favorite, and I also can't find a lot of research (at least for voice impersonation).

[Katya]

What do you mean by "application paper"?

[Tally M.]

Application of acoustics to another topic.

[Squirrel]

Uhh- ummm-

Maybe the acoustic difference between parrots and humans when ( parrots imitate human speech, vs. Parrots just do parrot talk)

Acoustical differences between languages

[Katya]

Do you mean "voice impersonation" in terms of one person impersonating another or "voice impersonation" in terms of digitally impersonating a human voice?

[Katya]

You could also look do something with vowel spaces and showing that the most basic vowel sounds /a/, /i/, /u/, are also the most acoustically distinct (and so are the easiest to distinguish).

[Tally M.]

Do you mean "voice impersonation" in terms of one person impersonating another or "voice impersonation" in terms of digitally impersonating a human voice?

The former

[mic0]

Do you mean "voice impersonation" in terms of one person impersonating another or "voice impersonation" in terms of digitally impersonating a human voice?

The former

Oh my gosh, I totally did a project like that once! I had two nonnative English speakers try to imitate a British accent after watching a "how to do a British accent" video a few times. Hah, it was very unscientific, but I bet done differently it could have been much better. I'll try to think of other ideas, too.

[Digit]

The difference between dolphin sounds for echolocation purposes and communication purposes. Some new research claims they have their own names for each other. Or are you only interested in human language?

[Tally M.]

Thanks a bunch, you guys!

[Tally M.]

I ended up writing it on language acquisition...I think it turned out well...and I got a good grade on it...

[Portia]

I ended up writing it on language acquisition...I think it turned out well...and I got a good grade on it...

I might read it after finals, if you think it's worth sharing. I like learning new things.

[Emiliana]

Ooh, I took a class on language acquisition once. It was awesome.

[Tally M.]

It won't let me upload it directly to the forum, so I'll send it to those who want it =P

[Tally M.]

Blog redacted for possible security reasons =P Message me if you want a copy of the paper.

[Squirrel]

I came across #3247. How the heck are you supposed to pronounce bwlch?

[Katya]

I came across #3247. How the heck are you supposed to pronounce bwlch?

In Welsh, "w" sounds like the "oo" in "cool" and "ch" is pronounced the same as in "Bach." So "boolch" (or /bulx/ in IPA).