2008 Volume 46 Issue 5 Pages 585-601
Changes in pronunciation according to the growth and development of children were examined by the frequency analysis on the continuation vowel and the VCV syllable word following a vowel. Thirty-six children from 3 to 8 years old, in which each age group consisted of three boys and three girls, participated in the examination.
Results obtained were as follows:
1) No significant difference on both the continuation of vowels /a/∼/o/ and the VCV syllable word following a vowel was found between genders.
2) Though the level of fundamental frequency of F 0 and F 1 for the first formant of the vowel were significantly decreased with age, significant differences were found in the frequency of F 1 and F 2for the second formant whereas a difference was shown in F 0 among 5 vowels.
3) Among 25 VCV syllable words following a vowel, a significant correlation between age groups and the values of F 1, F 2, and F 2-F 1 discrepancy were found dependently on the VCV syllable words.
4) In the test of distinctness degree for articulation, [s] lines and [r] lines were indistinct in the lower age group but improved with age.
5) No significant relation was found between the F 1, F 2, and F 2-F 1 for the continuation vowel and the primary intercanine width of the mandibular arch. In conclusion, a characteristic change of artic ulation was disclosed in children through the frequency analysis, especially in the F 0 and F 1 for the vowel which were significantly decreased with age.
