Experiments in female voice speech synthesis using a parametric articulatory model

A parametric vocal tract model and a two dimensional articulatory parametric subspace for a female voice are presented. The parameters of the model, which determine the vocal tract shape, can be found uniquely for VV transitions by mapping directly from f1 and f2 onto this subspace, while a modified technique involving f3 is available for voiced VC and CV diphones. The area functions of the vocal tract, generated by these parameters, are used to drive a time-domain synthesiser. Synthesis to give female speech, copied from either male or female natural speech, may be performed.