METHODS OF INVESTIGATIONS

There are three principal methods of investigations in Phonetics:

(1) the direct observation method;
(2) the linguistic method;
(3) the experimental method.

1. The direct observation method comprises three important modes of phonetic analysis:

by ear, by sight and by muscular sensation. Investigation by means of this method can be
effective only if the persons employing it have been specially trained to observe the minutest
movements of their own and other people's speech organs and to distinguish the slightest
variations in sound quality. Every phonetician undergoes a special training, in the course of
which his "phonetic ear", and also his muscular sensation, are developed.

By a "phonetic ear" is meant the capability to distinguish the exact quality of sounds
pronounced in various sound sequences or in isolation.

The muscular sensation is developed by constant and regular practice in articulating various
sounds.

2. The aim of the linguistic method of investigation of any concrete phonetic phenomena,
such as sound, stress, intonation or any other feature, is to determine in what way all of these
phonetic features are used in a language to convey a certain meaning.

3. The experimental method is based upon the use of special apparatus or instruments,
such as the laryngoscope, the artificial palate, the kymograph, the magnetic tape recorder,
the oscillograph, the spectrograph, X-ray photography, slow motion films, as well as
speech synthethizers. The instrumental methods of investigation are:

- palatography which helps to determine the interaction of tongue and palate in production
of speech sounds;

- X-ray photography and cinematography which help to trace the position and movement of
speech organs;

- laryngoscopy which helps to observe the work of vocal cords;

- oscillography which helps to determine length, pitch and intensity of speech sounds;

- spectography which helps to obtain the general characteristics of a speech sound, it is very
useful in investigation of complex sounds;

- kymography which helps to record qualitative variations of sounds;

- intonography which helps to measure the fundamental tone of the vocal cords, the average
sound pressure, the duration of speech (pausation).
Experimental methods first came into existence in the seventies of the 19th century. The well-known
French phonetician, Rousselot, is considered to- be the originator of experimental phonetics. At
about the same time, working quite independently, Prof. V. A. Bogoroditzky , began experimental
phonetic investigations with various instruments and apparatus.

Each branch of phonetics uses its own method of investigation, which changes (develops):

- articulatory phonetics uses method of direct observation, photography, cinematography, X-

ray photography;

- in acoustic phonetics we use instrumental method. Two basic machines are called
spectrograph and intonograph, nowadays computer software (programmes) is also used;

- in auditory phonetics we use methods of auditory/perception analysis (marking the text);

- the basic method in functional phonetics (phonology) is commutation or substitution,

substituting sounds in different environments.

Generally in phonetic research we combine different methods.