Perception of Czech in Noise: Stability of Vowels

摘要

The paper is based on results of perceptual tests focused on recognition of Czech words in noise. Identification of vowels in the syllabic nuclei proves most consistent. Resistance of individual phonemes and regularities in their substitution are examined. The primary focus concerns the position in a word. It shows that in Czech the position in the stressed syllable is not decisive for correct identification of vowels by listeners. Also the relations to duration and formant characteristics (F2/F1) bring negative results. Identification rates distinctly vary even among particular occurrences of individual phonemes. These differences do not have a verifiable relation to particular acoustic or structural feature. The assumption is vindicated that in the recognition of the acoustic word in adverse conditions a complex of features is in operation where these can act separately, in cooperation or in competition.