The Speech of MonkeysGarner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Science
The Speech of Monkeys
Garner, R. L. (Richard Lynch)
Monkeys; Sound production by animals; Speech
Among the sounds of the Simian voice I have not found the English vowels
"a," "i," or "o," except, perhaps, "i" short as sounded in the word
"it." The vowel "u," as sounded like "oo" in "shoot," seems to be the
chief sound of their speech. One important point which I discovered from
the phonograph is, that sounds or tones which are purely musical are
reproduced alike with the cylinder turning either way, while all speech
sounds are slightly changed when the cylinder is reversed, which shows
the sounds to be compound. I find that "w" may be developed from any
consonant by manipulating the cylinder of the phonograph, and it is a
fact also that the initial consonant imparted to any vowel does not
continue through the vowel. This I have shown by making a vowel sound
which I prolong for some seconds with the cylinder revolving at a given
rate of speed. While reproducing this at a normal speed I intercepted at
any point, and developed the sound "w" as heard in "woe." The instant I
have blended this into the vowel, I lift the diaphragm until the normal
speed is restored, when I replace the reproducing tooth showing the
sound without the consonant. In like manner I dictate to the phonograph
any vowel sound preceded by a consonant. The consonant I utter in a
natural way, the vowel I prolong for some seconds, and in the act of
reproducing this I cut the sound in two and find the vowel element is
not modified by the consonant which preceded it, hence, I observe that
the consonant merely suggests to the mind a certain form of sound which
does not change the fundamental vowel. In fact, it aids the voice
somewhat in uttering the vowel.
If human speech were composed of none but vowel sounds the human voice
could scarcely utter them in a continued conversation; their monotony
would not so much offend the ear as it would try the vocal powers, and
man would soon acquire consonants to aid the voice if for no other use.
[Sidenote: DOUBLE AND TREBLE CONSONANTS]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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