A technique for converting the linear prediction areas model of speech to a simple articulatory model

A transformation is described which converts the vocal tract areas derived from the linear prediction model to vocal tract widths. The transformation is described by the equation
w = c(kA)^{p}
where
w
= vocal tract width
A
= vocal tract area
c
= constant
p
= power constant and
k
= absolute areas criterion. Optimum values of
c
are given and the best criterion for making the linear prediction areas absolute was that the maximum area is a constant. The transform has been implemented in a real-time articulatory display which gives an overhead of only 14% over simple linear prediction area extraction. The display was found to be capable of showing the position of any vowel. Potential applications include its use as an aid to articulator placement in deaf speech training.