Question

What are the consequences for intelligibility when vowels are nasalized?

a) there is no effect on intelligibility
b) intelligibility may decrease because vowel formants are less distinct
c) intelligibility only changes for high front vowels
d) intelligibility may increase because vowel formants become more distinct
e) intelligibility only changes for low back vowels

Answer 1

When vowels are nasalized, the intelligibility may decrease because the vowel formants become less distinct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nasalization is a phonetic process in which a vowel is produced with airflow through the nasal cavity. When vowels are nasalized, the intelligibility may decrease because the vowel formants, which are the resonant frequencies of the vocal tract, become less distinct. This can make it more difficult for listeners to differentiate between different vowels and understand speech.