ABSTRACT
A speech generation model, in addition to aiding understanding of speech production, can itself form a useful basis for a speech synthesis system. The process of acoustic resonance is of prime importance in determining the properties of speech sounds. The principal resonant structure, particularly for vowels, is known as the vocal tract; it starts at the larynx and extends up through the pharynx and mouth to the lips. The air stream from the lungs can produce three different types of sound source to excite the acoustic resonant system. These various sound sources are brought into operation according to what type of speech sound is being produced. The cessation of phonation can also have two distinct patterns, depending on whether the folds are relaxed and pulled apart, or are forced tightly together. The resonant frequencies of the vocal tract for a given configuration are independent of the position of the sound source.
