Govor, Vol. 39 No. 2, 2022.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.22210/govor.2021.39.08
Acoustic voice analysis of transgender woman due to vocal therapy − Case study
Iva Bašić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2171-9300
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Zagreb, Croatia
Mateo Miličević
orcid.org/0009-0005-8350-3379
; Heureka, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Acoustic analysis of voice quality of a transgender woman in transition, before and after vocal
therapy is presented in the paper, as well as the methodology of the individual approach to vocal therapy for transgender women in transition. The purpose of vocal therapy is to reduce the negative effects of vocal dysphoria in a non-invasive manner, and reduce its impact on the
transgender clientʼs self-perception. The goals of vocal therapy for transgender women are
aimed at raising the fundamental frequency, improving fronted diction and voice resonance, and reducing laryngeal tension that can occur while adapting to the voice setting required for
a more feminine voice. The client assessed her own voice using the VHI and TWVQ questionnaires, and the results indicated a severe form of vocal dysphoria. A comparison of
fundamental frequency and formant values showed that vocal therapy lead to a significantly
higher voice of the transwoman (p < 0.05), with a more varied intonation. The newly learned
voice setting influenced the diction which was fronted resulting in higher formant values and
decreased lenght of vocal tract. Overall results indicate a change in categorization from male
to androgynous voice. The phonation time was also shortened after the vocal therapy due to
the newly learned voice setting. The perceptual voice analysis and the analysis of the long-term average speech spectra also confirmed the timbral change after the vocal therapy, which is reflected in the achievement of a brighter and more feminine voice. On the other hand, the
results of the self-assessment of the voice showed that the client still (after the vocal therapy)
feels severe vocal dysphoria and that the significant changes in the pitch and timbre of her
voice and intonation have not met her expectations. Considering everything, it is recommended to continue with the vocal therapy and further treatment by a phonosurgeon with the aim of improving the clientʼs quality of life.
Keywords
gender dysphoria; acoustic analysis; vocal therapy; voice
Hrčak ID:
294128
URI
Publication date:
21.2.2023.
Visits: 648 *