An investigation of coarticulation effects in Nigerian indigenous languages among the Fulani
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Background of the study
Coarticulation refers to the phenomenon where the articulation of a phoneme is influenced by adjacent sounds, resulting in overlapping articulatory processes. In Nigerian indigenous languages spoken by the Fulani, coarticulation effects are particularly pronounced due to the complex interaction between tonal, consonantal, and vowel systems (Adebayo, 2023). This study investigates the extent and nature of coarticulation effects among Fulani speakers by analyzing speech recordings and measuring acoustic parameters such as formant transitions and duration. Understanding coarticulation is essential for delineating phonetic boundaries and for accurate speech synthesis. The research also explores how factors such as speech rate, emotional context, and bilingualism affect coarticulation patterns. Prior studies have indicated that coarticulation can both facilitate fluid speech production and lead to perceptual ambiguities (Ibrahim, 2024). By documenting these effects, the study aims to contribute to theoretical phonetics and provide practical insights for language instruction and automatic speech recognition systems tailored to indigenous languages.
Statement of the problem
Despite its importance, coarticulation in Fulani languages remains underexplored, and limited data exist on how adjacent phonemes influence each other. This gap hampers our understanding of speech production processes and affects the development of accurate linguistic models (Chinwe, 2023). The lack of systematic acoustic evidence on coarticulation may result in difficulties for speech technology developers and language instructors, particularly in designing tools that account for natural phonetic variability. This study addresses these issues by investigating coarticulation effects, thereby providing empirical data to enhance theoretical models and practical applications.
Objectives of the study:
- To document coarticulation effects in Fulani speech.
- To analyze acoustic markers of coarticulation.
- To propose applications for improved speech technology.
Research questions:
- What are the predominant coarticulation effects in Fulani languages?
- How do acoustic features reflect coarticulatory processes?
- How can these findings improve speech recognition?
Research hypotheses:
- Coarticulation effects are significant among Fulani speakers.
- Acoustic measures will reveal systematic coarticulatory patterns.
- Enhanced models can improve speech processing.
Significance of the study (100 words):
This study is significant as it investigates coarticulation in Fulani languages, contributing vital data for both phonetic theory and practical applications in language teaching and speech technology. The findings will support the development of more accurate automatic speech recognition systems and pedagogical strategies (Ibrahim, 2024).
Scope and limitations of the study:
This study is limited to Fulani speakers and focuses on acoustic analysis of coarticulation effects in selected indigenous languages.
Definitions of terms:
- Coarticulation: The influence of adjacent sounds on the production of a phoneme.
- Acoustic Parameters: Measurable sound features such as formants and duration.
- Fulani: An ethnic group in Nigeria with distinct indigenous languages.
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