The Association between Bilingualism and Voice Quality in Spanish-English Bilingual Speakers: A Systematic Review
Molloy Faculty Mentor
Dr. Zoe Thijs
Presenter Major
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Presentation Type
Oral
Location
H339, 3rd floor, Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing
Start Date
28-4-2025 7:29 PM
End Date
28-4-2025 7:36 PM
Description (Abstract)
Bilingualism is prevalent globally, yet research on how bilingualism affects vocal function remains limited. This systematic review examines the relationship between speaking two languages and voice quality in Spanish-English speakers. The study searched three databases and after multiple screenings identified eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Across all studies, vocal fry was most commonly analyzed. The results suggest that bilingual speakers display more vocal fry, particularly when speaking English. However, methodological inconsistencies across studies, including differences in language classification and voice measures limit our ability to compare across studies and generalize. While some authors suggest bilingual speakers may require distinct normative data for vocal assessment, conclusive evidence remains lacking. Future research should address inconsistencies in linguistic background and methodological design to establish clearer relationships between bilingualism and vocal function. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving clinical voice evaluation and understanding the impact of bilingualism on vocal function.
Only published articles were used for this systematic review.
Keywords
Systematic review, bilingual, Spanish, English, voice quality, vocal fry
Related Pillar(s)
Study
The Association between Bilingualism and Voice Quality in Spanish-English Bilingual Speakers: A Systematic Review
H339, 3rd floor, Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing
Bilingualism is prevalent globally, yet research on how bilingualism affects vocal function remains limited. This systematic review examines the relationship between speaking two languages and voice quality in Spanish-English speakers. The study searched three databases and after multiple screenings identified eight studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Across all studies, vocal fry was most commonly analyzed. The results suggest that bilingual speakers display more vocal fry, particularly when speaking English. However, methodological inconsistencies across studies, including differences in language classification and voice measures limit our ability to compare across studies and generalize. While some authors suggest bilingual speakers may require distinct normative data for vocal assessment, conclusive evidence remains lacking. Future research should address inconsistencies in linguistic background and methodological design to establish clearer relationships between bilingualism and vocal function. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving clinical voice evaluation and understanding the impact of bilingualism on vocal function.
Only published articles were used for this systematic review.
