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Differences that make a difference: Do locus equations result from physical principles characterizing all mammalian vocal tracts?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 1998

W. Tecumseh Fitch
Affiliation:
Program in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Harvard/MIT tec@wjh.harvard.edu
Marc D. Hauser
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 hauser@wjh.harvard.edu
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Abstract

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Sussman and colleagues provide no evidence supporting their claim that the human vocal production system is specialized to produce locus equations with high correlations and linearity. We propose the alternative null hypothesis that these features result from physical and physiological factors common to all mammalian vocal tracts and we recommend caution in assuming that human speech production mechanisms are unique.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press