The role of F0 and phonation cues in Cantonese low tone perception

For languages that primarily exploit F0 to signal tonal contrast, the role of phonation cues in tonal perception remains controversial. This study revisits the use of F0 and phonation cues in Cantonese low tone perception (tone 4, 21/tone 6, 22) using synthesized stimuli. In line with previous studies, F0 contour and height were found to be the most salient cues, with F0 height being more important. The effects of non-modal phonation (creaky and breathy voice) were relatively small. Non-modal phonation enhanced low tone perception only in the low F0 range. The results are consistent with the differential integration hypothesis that the perceptual role of phonation is dependent on F0 and that phonation cues integrate with F0 differently depending on F0 height.