The aim of this work is to characterize the Berber vowel system in acoustics domain. We characterize these vowels in isolated context, using Pseudo Random Excitation Method of the vocal tract for the direct measuring of the vocal tract transfer function. This method provides real values of frequency formants and the fundamental relationship between the articulatory posture and formant frequencies. Berber vowel system is basically ternary /a,u, i/. We compared our results with those obtained for the French and Arabic language, knowing that the Berber, Arabic and French are the three main languages spoken in Algeria and North Africa. So in this study we obtained the real values of the three formants F1, F2 and F3 of Berber vowel system. Keywords-The Berber vowel; vocal tract transfer function; acoustic characterization; formants frequency; speech processing.

In Tashlhiyt Berber, phonetic implementation creates what looks like a schwa vowel but in fact is not, at least of the phonological sort. We present various arguments against the interpretation of these elements as epenthetic segments introduced by the phonological component. In addition to the fact that they do not interact with phonology, our acoustic and articulatory data suggest that

Laryngeal adjustments in voiceless obstruent clusters in Tashlhiyt Berber were examined by means of simultaneous transillumination, fiberoptic films and acoustic recordings. This language allows a rich variety of voiceless clusters naturally. Several ...

The present paper consists of two parts. In part 1 (this document), I discuss voice and lability in Berber. In part 2 (to appear later), I investigate Berber causative constructions. In this paper, I discuss various Berber languages, but the majority of examples come from Taqbaylit (Kabyle), Tashelhiyt (Shelha), and Tarifiyt (Riff).