Improvements to and applications of analysis of stressed speech using glottal waveforms

A continuation of the authors´ previous research (1990) in the area of statistical analysis and modeling of glottal waveforms of emotionally stressed speech is presented. A simple glottal model is defined which, by varying four parameters, can be used to model the glottal excitation of many styles of speech. An algorithm which automatically decouples these model glottal waveforms from the vocal tract information in a given speech segment is presented. Several applications of decoupling the model glottal waveforms are discussed. In particular, a method of automatic formant tracking of stressed speech which is superior to traditional formant tracking procedures is described. Also, a method of modifying the style of speech by removing some of the effects of stress on the speech waveform is presented