Acoustic Predictors of Gender Attribution, Masculinity–Femininity, and Vocal Naturalness Ratings Amongst Transgender and Cisgender Speakers

Publication date: Available online 28 November 2018

Source: Journal of Voice

Author(s): Teresa L.D. Hardy, Jana M. Rieger, Kristopher Wells, Carol A. Boliek

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the most salient set of acoustic predictors of (1) gender attribution; (2) perceived masculinity–femininity; and (3) perceived vocal naturalness amongst a group of transgender and cisgender speakers to inform voice and communication feminization training programs. This study used a unique set of acoustic variables and included a third, androgynous, choice for gender attribution ratings.

Method

Data were collected across two phases and involved two separate groups of participants: communicators and raters. In the first phase, audio recordings were captured of communicators (n = 40) during cartoon retell, sustained vowel, and carrier phrase tasks. Acoustic measures were obtained from these recordings. In the second phase, raters (n = 20) provided ratings of gender attribution, perceived masculinity–femininity, and vocal naturalness based on a sample of the cartoon description recording.

Results

Results of a multinomial logistic regression analysis identified mean fundamental frequency (f_o) as the sole acoustic measure that changed the odds of being attributed as a woman or ambiguous in gender rather than as a man. Multiple linear regression analyses identified mean f_o, average formant frequency of /i/, and mean sound pressure level as predictors of masculinity–femininity ratings and mean f_o, average formant frequency, and rate of speech as predictors of vocal naturalness ratings.

Conclusion

The results of this study support the continued targeting of f_o and vocal tract resonance in voice and communication feminization/masculinization training programs and provide preliminary evidence for more emphasis being placed on vocal intensity and rate of speech. Modification of these voice parameters may help clients to achieve a natural-sounding voice that satisfactorily represents their affirmed gender.

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