Prosodic analysis of anger expression in Langkat Malay speech

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the prosodic features associated with the expression of anger in Langkat Malay speech, focusing on variations in pitch, loudness, and tempo among speakers from different socio-economic backgrounds. The research aims to elucidate how emotions are encoded in speech and to highlight the influence of cultural and social contexts on emotional expression through prosody. The study involved 40 native Langkat Malay speakers, divided evenly between individuals from the nobility and the general populace, encompassing a range of ages from 20 to 50 years. Using a purposive sampling method, participants were recorded expressing three distinct emotions—anger, sadness, and happiness—in a controlled setting. The speech samples were digitally captured, processed, and analyzed using Praat software to examine the acoustic properties of emotional speech, focusing specifically on the prosodic elements. Key findings indicate that anger is expressed through elevated pitch, increased loudness, and faster tempo. Notably, variations were observed between the socio-economic groups, with the nobility displaying more complex pitch contours and greater intensity in their expressions of anger compared to the general populace. These findings suggest that prosodic features of anger expression are modulated by cultural and social factors within the Langkat Malay community. The study underscores the importance of considering cultural nuances in the study of emotional prosody and suggests significant implications for language teaching, speech therapy, and the development of emotionally-aware AI systems. Limitations of the study include its small sample size and focus on a single emotion, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. This study contributes to the field by providing a deeper insight into how emotional states are communicated in lesser-studied languages, emphasizing the intricate link between language, culture, and emotion.