Acoustic parameters in speaker height and weight identification: Sex-specific behaviour

Author(s): Moxness, B. H.

Journal/Book: Lang Speech. 1995; 38: 43, Derwent Rd, Whitton, Twickenham, Middlesex, England TW2 7HQ. Kingston Press Services Ltd. 267-287.

Abstract: This study examines the ability of listeners to judge speaker height and weight from speech samples. Although previous investigations indicate that listeners are consistent in estimating body characteristics, it is not known which speech signal parameters are being used by the listeners for such estimates. Therefore, a series of listening tests was carried out in which male and female listeners judged the height and weight from male and female speakers reading isolated words and two text paragraphs. Both speaker sex and listener sex turned out to be important factors: Significant correlations between estimated height/weight and actual height/weight were found only for male speakers. The majority of these estimates came from the male listeners. Neither male nor female listeners, however, were able to estimate female speaker height or weight. Regression analysis involving FO, formant frequencies, energy below 1 KHz, and speech rate showed no significant correlations between these parameters and actually measured speaker height and weight, the only exception correlation between male speaker weight and speech rate. Furthermore, ion data suggested that the listeners (correctly) used speech rate information injudging male speaker weight, whereas low FO and formant frequency values (wrongly) were taken to indicate large speaker body dimensions.

Note: Article WA Vandommelen, Norwegian Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Linguist, N-7055 Dragvoll, Norway

Keyword(s): fundamental; frequency; speaker height; speaker weight; spectrum; speech rate; SPEECH; VOICE; PERCEPTION; AGE

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