Acoustic cues for emotions in Korean vocal expressions

This study examined the acoustic expression of emotions—specifically happiness, sadness, anxiety, and anger—in speech, with a particular focuson gender-based differences in vocal expressions. Ten phonetic markers, including pitch,intensity, and voice quality, were measured and analyzed through various acousticparameters. Findings revealed that while both male and female speakers modifiedacoustic features to convey emotions, distinct gender patterns emerged. Female speakersexhibited stable pitch in sadness and heightened intensity variability when expressinganger, while male speakers showed a tendency to increase pitch variability in sadnessand irregularities in anger-related vocalizations. These patterns suggested that socialfactors may influence how emotions are expressed, with Korean societal norms possiblyaffecting the vocal differences between male and female speakers. The results areinterpreted in light of how gender and societal norms may shape vocal expressions ofemotion.