| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 語言治療與聽力研究所 === 105 === Tone is the sharp transition of frequency, amplitude, and duration of the vibration of vocal folds within 150 to 300 millisecond. The process is accomplished by stretching and contraction of laryngeal muscles. Exercises on laryngeal muscles enhances its strength and endurance, coordination among respiratory, phonation, and resonance sub-systems, and overall physiological function of voice by expanding one’s speaking physiological frequency range. Tone transition suggests a mechanism similar to that of physiological voice therapy. If tonality in Mandarin is viewed as a daily vocal manipulation in pitch and loudness, it may enhance their physiological frequency range. It is clinically significant to probe into whether the existence of tonality can improve vocal function. Therefore, prior research focusing on tonality and physiological frequency range is needed, as well as discussion on the relationship between various physique and corresponding voice measures. The purposes of this study are (1) to compare the physiological frequency and intensity ranges of tonal and non-tonal language female speakers, and (2) to compare the oral pressure and phonation threshold pressure (PTP) of tonal and non-tonal language female speakers.
A total 24 female participants will be recruited in the study (aged 20-40 years). There are 12 female tonal language speakers and 12 non-tonal speakers. The study is set to compare physiological performance between tonal and non-tonal language speakers by analyzing their voice range profile and aerodynamic measures. For data analysis, an independent-samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test are used to compare vocal measures between two speaking groups. In voice range profile frequency measurements, the results revealed that tonal language female speakers had significantly greater lowest frequency, highest frequency and maximum physiological frequency range of phonation (MPFR) than non-tonal speakers. In voice range profile intensity measurements, the average loud voice, loudest voice, average soft voice, softest voice, maximum dynamic intensity range (MDIR) and average dynamic
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intensity range (MDIR) for tonal and non-tonal speakers are no significant difference. In aerodynamic measurements, tonal language female speakers had significantly lower oral pressure and phonation threshold pressure (PTP). The identification of differences in the maximum physiological frequency range of phonation, oral pressure and phonation threshold pressure between tonal and non-tonal language speakers allow us to determine the frequency and intensity effects on maximum vocal performances which could be the result of the particular types of vocal exercise associated with tonal language.The tone of tonal language appears to provide good example of a therapeutic strategy to expand the frequency range.
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