Bi-phonic voice: a study of the potential for using the extended vibrational qualities of overtone chanting and singing as an intervention in training the speaking voice

Research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Coursework and research report School of Arts, Drama Division University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaThis study examines human vocal production through the lens of vibration. The needs of the speaking voice in terms of communication are explored, with particular emphasis on the vocal needs of the professional speaker, where extended range and resonance will ensure optimum communicative effect. As this goal may require training, a comparative study is presented of approaches to vocal training that have the aim of improving resonance and range while minimising damage to the vocal apparatus. These approaches include the quest to overcome physical, societal and emotional blocks to effective vocal production. This comparative study is based on the writings of a selection of popular vocal training theorists’ writings. To enhance the study of effective vocal production, the physical and physiological means of meeting the needs of producing voice are explored, by an interrogation of what vibration is in terms of vocal production. To investigate this, I have examined the physical nature of vibration, followed by the physiological aspect of this vibration as it relates to vocal production. Included in this investigation is an appreciation of what might affect the vibrations of speech that relate to resonance and range, to either enhance or hinder them. Because Bi-phonic voice, or Overtone singing and chanting, uses extended vibrational qualities, this study explores the possibility of using these vibrational qualities in vocal training to extend range and resonance. A brief ethnological study of Bi-phonic voice is presented followed by an examination of its functioning with emphasis on the manner in which the vibrations used may differ from those in western vocal techniques. Experiential reports of Bi-phonic vocal production, obtained through interviews, are presented, which in conjunction with literature on the practice will contribute to ascertaining whether there is in fact potential for using the techniques, without endangering the vocal apparatus, as an adjunct to current vocal training trends

The Austronesian languages

This is a revised edition of the 2009 The Austronesian languages, which was published as a paperback in the then Pacific Linguistics series (ISBN 9780858836020). This revision includes typographical corrections, an improved index, and various minor content changes. The release of the open access edition serves to meet the strong ongoing demand for this important handbook, of which only 200 copies of the first edition were printed. This is the first single-authored book that attempts to describe the Austronesian language family in its entirety. Topics covered include: the physical and cultural background, official and national languages, largest and smallest languages in all major geographical regions, language contact, sound systems, linguistic palaeontology, morphology, syntax, the history of scholarship on Austronesian languages, and a critical assessment of the reconstruction of Proto Austronesian phonology.Australian National University, College of Asia and the Pacifi

Sprache intermedial. Stimme und Schrift, Bild und Ton

Dieser Band greift erstmals das Thema ‚Intermedialität‘, das seit einigen Jahren zu einem Leitbegriff der Kulturwissenschaften geworden ist, aus Sicht der Sprachwissenschaft auf. Er zeigt auf, wie tief medienspezifische Gegebenheiten und intermediale Bezüge die Gebrauchsformen von Sprache prägen. Sprache wird in den Beiträgen des Bandes als Spannungsphänomen theoretisiert, für das sowohl die Materialität seiner Erscheinungsformen wie seine medialen und kommunikativen Bezüge auf Nichtsprachliches konstitutiv sind. Zusammenhänge und Konkurrenzen, Eigenart und Austauschbarkeit dieser Formen und Bezüge werden in drei Themenkomplexen diskutiert: - Die Materialität von Sprache als Stimme und Schrift - Intermediale Relationen zwischen Text, Bild und Ton in Druckmedien, Film und Internet - Multimodale und leibvermittelte Kommunikation im Raum. Die Beiträge des Bandes führen grundlegend in die verschiedenen Facetten der Intermedialität von Sprache ein, diskutieren deren sprachtheoretische Implikationen und präsentieren neueste Forschungsergebnisse