their own distinct resonances. Where these resonances occur,
the overtones of the frequencies (or number of vibrations)
from the vocal cords are amplified. Formants (from the Latin
formare
: to shape, or form) are resonant frequencies of the vo-
cal tract, the natural shapes that air assumes in the vocal pas-
sage. When you make a consonant, for example, this has an ef-
fect on the formants of the neighbouring vowels, raising or
lowering formants as the vowel sound gets closer to the cor-
sonant. Experiments have shown that two formants are suffi-
cient in order to differentiate speech sounds from each other.
5
Budgerigar
African Grey Parrot
Mynah bird, a
member of the
crow family
