Speaking Fundamental Frequency Values in Typical Malayalam English Bilingual Speakers

Speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) is an important parameter for evaluating vocal characteristics in bilingual populations. This study aimed to establish normative SFF values for Malayalam-English bilinguals, aged 18–25 years, focusing on gender differences and variations across languages (Malayalam and English) and task types (reading vs. spontaneous speech). A total of 40 participants completed both reading and spontaneous speaking tasks in both languages. The findings revealed significant gender differences, with females exhibiting consistently higher SFF values than males. However, no significant differences were observed between languages or task types. These results provide normative SFF data for young Malayalam-English bilinguals, which can serve as a reference for future studies investigating vocal patterns in bilingual populations. The study highlights the need for further research with larger and more diverse samples to enhance understanding of vocal characteristics in different linguistic contexts.