Relative spectral change and formant transitions as cues to labial and alveolar place of articulation

The perceptual salience of relative spectral change [Lahiri et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 76, 391-404 (1984)] and formant transitions as cues to labial and alveolar/dental place of articulation was assessed in a conflicting cue paradigm. The prototype stimuli were produced by two English speakers. The stimuli with conflicting cues to place of articulation were created by altering the spectra of the signals so that the change in spectral energy from signal onset to voicing onset specified one place of articulation while the formant transitions specified the other place of articulation. Listeners' identification of these stimuli was determined principally by the information from formant transitions. This outcome provides no support for the view that the relative spectral change is a significant perceptual cue to stop consonant place of articulation.