An Introduction to The National Language Research Institute: A Sketch of its Achievements
Third Edition(1988)/ HTML Version(1997)

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II.2.17 A Study on the Pronunciation of Vowel Sounds Based on X-Ray Film Materials - Prolegomena to the Study of Phonemes

(Report 60, 1978. 165 pages)
This report summarizes research on isolated vowels. It continues along the line of X-ray based research on the special characteristics of particular phonological problems in the phonetics of modern Japanese. In Chapter 1, we discussed some problems with the modern dominant phonological theory and described the overall methodology used in this research. In Chapter 2, we explained the function of the vocal cords which serve as the sole sound source for vowels and discussed how each kind of vocal organ contributing to the formation of the vocal tract functions and the particular characteristics of the vocal tract during the state of rest, state of preparation for speech production, and time of vowel articulation. In Chapter 3, we examined the accuracy and practicality of Jones' cardinal vowel system. We made a critical evaluation from X-rays of the author, UEMURA, pronouncing vowels and similar data on the vowel production in German, Russian, etc., and indicated points which were in need of revision. In Chapter 4, "The 5 Vowels of Japanese," we focused on vowels isolated from context, the most crucial for determining the phonological theory, and based on X-rays of vowel production, discussed the particular characteristics of the vocal tract for each vocal organ during the "standard pronunciation" of each of the 5 specific vowels. In addition, we also described the characteristics of the vocal tract for the 5 vowels for "enunciated pronunciation" and "weakened pronunciation." UEMURA Yukio and TAKADA Syo~zi directed this research.

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