Intonation parameters in gender diverse people

Background Although intonation is often addressed in speech training for gender diverse individuals, the relationship between intonation and gender perception remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to collect speech samples from cisgender (cis), transgender (trans) and non-binary people and to examine differences in intonation parameters. In addition, the relationship between acoustic intonation parameters and femininity/masculinity ratings was investigated. Methods Semi-structured speech samples of continuous speech were elicited from 107 cis women, 104 cis men, 19 trans women, 10 trans men, and 11 non-binary persons, using a prosody protocol consisting of declarative sentences, yes/no questions, and question word questions. An objective acoustic analysis (Praat) was performed to determine and compare intonation parameters (general intonation shift (HZ and ERB), general fundamental frequency (fo) range (Hz and ERB), final intonation shift (Hz and ERB), fo variation index (Hz/s and ERB/s)) between groups. In addition, a listening experiment was conducted, consisting of a gender diverse listening panel (n=41). The listeners were asked to rate the femininity/masculinity of the speech samples (n = 59) using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Correlational research was used to examine the relationship between acoustic intonation parameters and gender perception. Results The four intonation parameters were significantly different between the groups in all types of sentences. Similarity was found in the acoustic intonation parameters of participants with a similar gender identity (cis women – trans women; cis men – trans men). In the group with non-binary speakers, no significant differences in acoustic intonation parameters were found with the cisgender speakers. In addition, no significant correlations were found between the acoustic intonation parameters and the femininity/masculinity ratings in the groups with cis masculine, cis feminine, and non-binary participants. In contrast, moderate to strong significant (positive) correlations were found respectively in the trans masculine and trans feminine participants. It can be assumed, that there is evidence that intonation is related to rated femininity/masculinity in trans men and trans women. Conclusions: This study shows that intonation plays a role in gender perception for trans men and trans women. In addition, acoustic intonation parameters are "speech markers" that distinguish between the groups with cis, trans, and non-binary individuals. The prosody protocol is a standardized protocol and may be useful in clinical practice to objectively measure and monitor intonation during therapy. The results of the current study may provide support for intonation in gender affirming voice, speech, and communication training, and therefore contribute to evidence-based intonation training in gender diverse individuals.

Publication year:2023

Accessibility:Open