A Cross-Dialectal Acoustic Study of Hindko Vowel Sounds

This study is an attempt to find out the variations in acoustic properties of Hindko vowel sounds spoken in Neelum Valley and Jehlum Valley. The primary focus of this study is to find out the differences in Acoustic Properties of Hindko short and long vowels in two Hindko dialects spoken in Neelum and Jhelum valleys. The mean values regarding duration of vowels show that the duration of front vowels, central vowels and mid-back vowel is shorter for the speakers from Neelum Valley than that of the speakers from Jehlum Valley. Whereas, the duration of two back close vowels is greater for the speakers from Neelum Valley than that of the speakers from Jehlum Valley. The study further shows that F1 and F2 of three front vowels, all central vowels and a short back close vowel are greater for the speakers from Neelum Valley than that of the speakers from Jehlum Valley. The study also shows that F1 and F2 of a long back close vowel and a mid-back vowel are great