Effects of Consonant Voicing on Vowel Formant Distribution in Standard Lithuanian: A Factorial Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to continue experimental research on the dynamics of vowel formant distribution in Standard Lithuanian. The primary focus is on the interaction and hierarchy of factors that directly influence formant placement in the spectra of Lithuanian vowels. After CVC combinations with voiced plosive consonants were added to the dataset, the differential power of the voicing factor was analysed. A factorial analysis (two-way ANOVA) was performed to determine what position in the hierarchy the voicing factor can take. Additionally, the question of factor coordination in the field of formant distribution was raised. The results suggest that the voicing factor occupies weak positions in the hierarchy and exhibits low-level autonomy. To some extent, its relative power correlates with the backness of the vowel, as it shifts towards the back tongue position, differences implied by the consonant voicing factor on formant distribution increase. Although it has no significant impact, consonant voicing plays a role in expanding the spectral space, allowing other factors to exert greater influence (for example, it creates conditions for high back vowels to be more fronted in a dental stop environment).