The Vocal Profile Analysis of Some Baghdadi Adults: A Sociophonetic Study.

Abstract

• Voice quality has recently been of great interest to phoneticians. It has been thriving with the advent of technology. It comprises the voice features that persist longer in speech. Various approaches have been recruited for the assessments of such features. The present paper attempts to rate perceptually features of voice quality of some Baghdadi males and females as they speak using the Vocal Profile Analysis Scheme (henceforth VPAS). The present study is triggered by the lack of knowledge of such features of Baghdadi dialect that are associated with gender as a social factor. To gain an accurate perceptual rating of voice quality, the researcher has been trained on perceptual rating using VPAS guided by Janet Beck, a Professor of Speech Sciences at Queen Margret University, and a certification is gained accordingly (see appendix 1). To ensure the reliability of perceptual rating, an intra-rater and inter-rater analysis is conducted with the help of another experienced judge. The significance of the present study is to shed light on the features of voice that people habitually develop when acquiring a specific language. This might be utilized forensically to identify specific social groups. Furthermore, it has some phonological consequences on segmental shift over time.