TONE PRODUCTION IN MODERN STANDARD CHINESE : AN ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION

The activity of the cricothyroid & sternohyoid muscles in the larynx in the production of tones in Standard Chinese was studied by evaluating electromyographic (EMG) records of two F Chinese speakers uttering Chinese syllables in all tones, placed in carrier sentences. The activity of the cricothyroid appeared to be directly related to changes in fundamental f, preceding these changes by an average of 85 milliseconds. The sternohyoid appears to play a role in the control of superior articulators (eg, movements of jaw opening & lowering or retraction of the tongue) & in the control of fundamental f. The two muscles contribute together to the production of Chinese tones. 5 Tables, 5 Figures, 20 References. HA Tr & Modified by B. Annesser Murray