Stødtest

Stødtest is a term used in Danish phonology and linguistics to describe procedures for determining whether a syllable bears stød, a phonation phenomenon characterized by a constricted glottis that can give vowels a creaky- or glottalized voice quality. Stød is a salient feature in some Danish dialects and lexical items and can affect vowel quality and syllable weight, depending on the speaker and context.

There are perceptual and instrumental approaches to stød testing. Perceptual tests rely on listeners judging whether stød is present in recorded tokens, often using forced-choice tasks or rating scales. Instrumental tests employ acoustic measurements to identify cues associated with creaky voice or glottalization, such as lowered, irregular F0, altered spectral tilt, or irregular glottal cycles; in some studies, laryngeal visualization methods like high-speed imaging or electroglottography are used to corroborate the presence of stød.

Stødtests are used to annotate linguistic data, map the distribution of stød across Danish dialects, and evaluate the phonological status of stød in Danish. They also support phonetic training, pronunciation teaching, and comparative research on voice quality and laryngealization. Results can be influenced by speaker variation, speech rate, and regional differences, so tests are usually conducted with controlled stimuli, multiple listeners, and careful data normalization.

See also: stød, Danish phonology, creaky voice.