Abstract
Although laughter is an important aspect of nonverbal vocalization, its acoustic properties are still not fully understood. Here we provide new data on the spectral properties of laughter. We measured fundamental frequency and formant frequencies of the vowels produced in laughter syllables. In accordance with theoretical predictions and prior observations laughter was mainly based on central vowels. Furthermore, laughter syllables showed higher formant frequencies than normal speech vowels; in particular F1 values could be as high as 1300 Hz for male speakers and 1500 Hz for female speakers. These exceptionally high F1 values might be based on the extreme positions adopted by the vocal tract during laughter in combination with physiological constraints accompanying production of a “pressed” voice. Keywords: laughter, formant, vowel, nonverbal, F1.