University of Central Florida (UCF) SPA3112 Basic Phonetics Midterm Practice Exam

The main impact of glottal constriction during speech is that it modifies pitch and tone. Glottal constriction refers to the narrowing of the vocal folds within the larynx, which can influence the vibrational patterns of these folds. When the glottis constricts, it affects the airflow through the larynx, altering the frequency at which the vocal folds vibrate. This results in changes to both pitch and tone, which are crucial for conveying meaning and emotion in spoken language.

Adjusting the glottal constriction can lead to variations in pitch, allowing speakers to express different meanings or emphases. For example, tightening the vocal folds can raise the pitch, while relaxing them can lower it. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in languages where pitch changes can differentiate between words or grammatical structures.

While the other options may relate to vocal production in different contexts, they do not directly address the primary function of glottal constriction in modifying voice characteristics during speech.