Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

What is the recommended voice onset time (VOT) sequence when measuring stop consonants?

1. Shorter VOT

2. Longer VOT

3. More compact spectrum

4. More diffuse spectrum

The correct answer is: Longer VOT

The concept of voice onset time (VOT) is critical in the study of phonetics and is particularly relevant when analyzing stop consonants. VOT refers to the time interval between the release of a stop consonant and the onset of vocal fold vibration, which can significantly impact the perception of speech sounds. When measuring stop consonants, a longer VOT is typically associated with voiceless stops, such as /p/, /t/, and /k/, where there is a greater delay between the release of the consonant and the start of voicing. This is crucial because longer VOT values are what help listeners distinguish between voiced and voiceless stops, such as hearing the difference between /b/ (voiced) and /p/ (voiceless). Thus, in this context, a longer VOT is essential for accurate identification and classification of these sounds in speech. The other choices, while they pertain to different aspects of sound characteristics, do not directly relate to the specific measurement of VOT in stop consonants. For instance, shorter VOT values correlate with voiced stops but do not provide the contrast necessary for understanding the voicing distinction that a longer VOT provides. Similarly, compact and diffuse spectra refer to the quality