What is the relationship between formants and the fundamental frequency?

The correct answer highlights that formants are indeed harmonics of the fundamental frequency, which is a crucial concept in understanding speech sound production and resonance. In the context of speech science, the fundamental frequency refers to the lowest frequency of a periodic wave, which is perceived as the pitch of the voice.

Formants, on the other hand, are specific resonant frequencies of the vocal tract that shape the sound produced by the vocal folds. They are curves within the frequency spectrum that are generated by the filtering properties of the vocal tract, and they occur at harmonic intervals of the fundamental frequency, contributing to the distinct characteristics of speech sounds, particularly vowels.

When we articulate speech, the dimensions and shapes of the vocal tract influence the frequencies of these formants, allowing for different phonemes to be identified. Thus, understanding the relationship between formants and fundamental frequency is essential for analyzing how speech sounds are produced and perceived.

This connection illustrates how the frequency components of a voice spectrum work together to create recognizable speech, helping to inform both theoretical models and practical applications in speech science.