International Journal of Speech Language and the Law, Vol 5, No 2 (1998)

Foreign accent in voice discrimination: a case study

Henry Rogers
Issued Date: 7 Feb 2007

Abstract


This article describes the phonetic analysis of a case of speaker identification involving a foreign accent. A taped telephone message in English with a Cantonese accent resulted in the arrest of Lo, a Cantonese speaker. The investigation compared the voice on the tape with that of Lo, particularly noting the accent in English. In several places, close auditory examination showed that Lo had a stronger accent in English than that of the voice on the tape. Acoustic analysis corroborated this view. The theoretical point underlying the conclusion is that non-native speakers can imitate a stronger accent than they normally use, but not a weaker accent.

Download Media

PDF (Price: £17.50 )

DOI: 10.1558/sll.1998.5.2.203

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.





Equinox Publishing Ltd - 415 The Workstation 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)114 221-0285 - Email: [email protected]

Privacy Policy