Fundamental Frequency and Intensity in Lithuanian Epistemic Modality Markers and Modal Phrases

Abstract

The study aims to identify the key characteristics of fundamental frequency (pitch) and intensity in modal phrases: what pitch and intensity are typical of modal phrases, whether modal words are marked by pitch and intensity, and whether these features can signal varying degrees of certainty in modal phrases. The study material consists of 17 sentences containing lexical modal markers, along with one sentence expressing modality phonetically and one neutral sentence. Each sentence was read three times. The selected acoustic parameters for analysis (average, minimum, and maximum pitch and intensity) were determined using the sound analysis program “Praat”. A total of 57 recordings were analysed. The study employs experimental, instrumental acoustic analysis, and descriptive methods. The results indicate that phrases simulating uncertainty exhibit slightly higher pitch parameters and lower intensity compared to neutral phrases of the same structure. Modal phrases containing modal markers tend to have higher pitch and greater intensity than the neutral phrase, although the results may vary. Modal words are marked with a higher pitch and greater intensity than the rest of the phrase, thereby emphasising the modality of the phrase. Phrases expressing higher or lower certainty are pronounced with greater intensity and lower pitch compared to phrases expressing doubt.