An acoustic comparison: Setswana vowels versus the cardinal vowels

Abstract

This article strives to make the reader aware of the many discrepancies that exist in the classification and description of the Setswana vowels when compared to the cardinal vowels. It further aims to draw the attention to the more scientific approach of describing and classifying vowels based on the comparison of the acoustic values of vowels with those of the cardinal vowels. Customarily the vowels of Setswana are compared to the cardinal vowels and positioned accordingly on a traditional vowel chart while the comparison is based on auditory perception alone. As acoustically determined formant values of the cardinal vowels are available, comparisons between the cardinal vowels and the vowels of Setswana (and other languages) should be construed on acoustic data.