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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