Formantfästen

Formantfästen, also known as formant anchors, are a type of speech sound that occur in certain languages, particularly in tonal languages. They are characterized by the presence of a stable formant frequency throughout a syllable or word, regardless of the vowel quality. This stability is achieved by the vocal tract maintaining a consistent shape, which can be achieved through various articulatory mechanisms.

Formantfästen are often associated with the use of a glottal stop or a similar closure in the vocal tract. This closure prevents the air from escaping, allowing the vocal tract to maintain its shape and thus the formant frequency. The resulting sound is often described as a "buzzing" or "humming" sound, and it can be used to convey tonal information in languages that use tone to distinguish meaning.

Formantfästen are not unique to tonal languages, however. They can also be found in other languages, such as certain dialects of English and German. In these languages, formantfästen are often used to create a sense of stability or emphasis in speech.

The exact mechanisms by which formantfästen are produced and perceived are still not fully understood. However, research has shown that they play an important role in speech perception and production, and they are an active area of study in phonetics and linguistics.