QUALITY AND VOCAL DYNAMICS OF A HOMOSEXUAL SPEAKER IN THE LIGHT OF THE VOCAL PROFILE ANALYSIS SCHEME FOR BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE-VPAS-PB: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Language studies allow us to understand new social and individual dimensions by applying different investigative techniques on the same object of study. Investigations on auditory-perceptual aspects help us to understand the vocal tract, muscle tension and phonatory adjustments of a subject (CAMARGO and MADUREIRA, 2008). This paper aims to describe the vocal quality and dynamics of a homosexual male speaker in two moments, before and after coming out about his sexuality, through the script Vocal Profile Analysis Scheme for Brazilian Portuguese - VPAS-PB. The qualitative research is based on a case report, consisting of two semi-spontaneous speech collections of a homosexual subject. The samples were obtained in an acoustically treated environment with a three-year recording interval; then, the samples were evaluated by a judge using the VPAS-PB script. The results show that the participant, after the three-year interval, presented changes, ranging from a lowered tongue body to an advanced one; pharyngeal expansion to pharyngeal constriction; lowered larynx to an elevated one; from modal to falsetto (intermittent); and increased graduation of closed jaw adjustments and vocal tract hyperfunction. Concerning vocal dynamics aspects: usual lowered pitch to high; extension and pitch variability from decreased to increased as well as increased graduation in speech rate. In addition, the speaker's voice was identified with stretched lips adjustments and laryngeal hyperfunction. In this investigation, it was possible to trace the homosexual speaker’s vocal profile at different moments, identifying marked adjustments in the speech of this subject as well as the social relations and attributions of meanings established by these adjustments.