Anatomical correlates of articulatory ranges of motion : An EMA study

Friedrichs, Daniel and Ekström, Axel G. and Kirkham, Sam and Moran, Steven (2024) Anatomical correlates of articulatory ranges of motion : An EMA study. In: Proceedings from FONETIK 2024 :. University of Stockholm, Stockholm, pp. 123-128.

Text (FriedrichsEkstromKirkhamMoran2024)
FriedrichsEkstromKirkhamMoran2024.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (899kB)

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between anatomical features and articulatory ranges of motion in speech production using electromagnetic articulography (EMA) data. Utilizing canonical correlation analysis (CCA), we identified significant associations between anatomical dimensions – such as vocal tract length and mandible length – and the movements of the tongue, jaw, and lips. The results indicate that longer vocal tracts and mandibles are linked to greater vertical tongue movements but smaller vertical mandibular movements. Additionally, short mandible lengths are associated with extended horizontal lower lip movements, suggesting a form of biomechanical adaptation. Furthermore, the analysis revealed an association between the tongue’s swallowing range and various articulatory variables. These findings highlight the role of anatomical structures in shaping articulatory patterns, offering insights into biomechanical constraints and adaptations in speech production.