Speaking Fundamental Frequency Characteristics of 15, 16 and 17 Year-Old Girls

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to obtain speaking fundamental frequency data on a large number of high-school age girls in order to determine the age at which adult female speaking fundamental frequencies are established. Forty-four 15 year-olds, 115 16 year-olds and 148 17 year-olds were recorded reading a standard passage. The mean fundamental frequencies for these age groups were 207.5, 207.3 and 207.8 c.p.s., respectively. These results indicate that females attain adult speaking fundamental frequencies by 15 years of age. It seems necessary, therefore, to study girls 14 years of age and younger in order to determine when adult frequencies are first evidenced.