Speaking Fundamental Frequency: Some Physical and Social Correlates

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Abstract
Previous correlational studies have found no relationship between speaker height, weight and speaking fundamental frequency, although it has often been claimed that listeners can correctly identify the height, weight, and bodily build of speakers and that voice pitch is one of the cues used. In this study various social factors were controlled for, and contrasting samples of speech from each subject were analysed. Twelve men and 15 women, drawn from a socially homogeneous group, were asked to read two passages and to phonate the vowel /a:/ at "their lowest attainable pitch." The median speaking fundamental frequency from both passages was calculated and a measure of basal F0 was obtained from the phonation of /a:/. In contrast to other studies, a relationship was found between speaker height and median speaking fundamental frequency, but no relationship was found between speaker weight and F0. The correlation between median speaking fundamental frequency and height was significant only in the male sample and in one passage. Physical and social interpretations for these findings are discussed.