Mathematical Modelling and Multivariate Analysis of Acoustic Signals: Applying Euclidean Metrics and Polynomial Regression to the Acquisition of the Schwa Phoneme in Eastern Andalusian Speakers

Source abstract

This volume explores whether speakers from eastern Andalusia are more likely to acquire the schwa vowel [ə] because their vowel system includes more open and centralised realizations than those of other Spanish varieties. Using acoustic analysis in Praat, the study compares eastern Andalusian speakers with speakers from central and northern Spain, whose vowel inventory is limited to the five canonical Spanish phonemes. Euclidean distance is used to measure proximity between produced vowels and the theoretical schwa. The findings point to better schwa production within certain openness ranges and suggest that vowel openness, younger age, and higher educational level favour more accurate acquisition.