Chapter One�� Introduction1.1 General theoretical background of vowel production1.2 Purpose and the scope of this study1.3 Introduction of Ningbo Chinese1.4 Outline of the studyChapter Two�� The acoustic phonetic values of the Ningbo vowels2.1 Introduction2.2 Methodology2.2.1 Test material2.2.2 Speakers and recording2.2.3 Data analysis2.3 Results and discussion2.3.1 Results and discussion of the Ningbo normal-length vowels2.3.1.1 An overview2.3.1.2 Vowel height2.3.1.3 Vowel backness2.3.1.4 Lip rounding2.3.2 Results of the Ningbo short vowels2.3.3 Acoustic characteristics of the Ningbo apical vowels2.3.4 Vowel normalization and discussion on the sex difference2.4 ConclusionChapter Three�� An acoustic phonetic analysis of the Ningbo diphthongs and triphthong3.1 Introduction3.2 Methodology3.2.1 Test material3.2.2 Speakers and recording3.2.3 Data analysis3.3 Results and discussion3.3.1 Duration results and discussion3.3.2 Spectral results and discussion3.3.3 Dynamic aspects3.4 Conclusion and general discussionChapter Four�� An articulatory analysis of the Ningbo vowels4.1 Introduction4.2 Methodology4.2.1 Speakers and test material4.2.2 Equipment4.2.3 Procedures4.2.4 Analysis4.3 Results and discussion4.3.1 Lingual configurations of the Ningbo normal-length vowels4.3.2 A PARAFAC modeling4.3.3 Jaw opening and its coordination with tongue movements4.3.4 Lip rounding4.3.5 Articulatory characteristics of the Ningbo short vowels4.3.6 Articulation of the Ningbo apical vowels4.4 ConclusionChapter Five�� An artieulatory analysis of the Ningbo diphthongs and triphthong5.1 Introduction5.2 Methodology5.2.1 Speakers and test material5.2.2 Equipment and procedures5.2.3 Analysis5.3 Results and discussion5.3.1 Diphthong targets and their movement5.3.1.1 Articulation of the falling diphthongsA.Diphthong ��ai��B.Diphthong ��au��C.Diphthong ��cey��A Summary of the articulation for the falling Diphthongs in Ningbo5.3.1.2 Articulation of the rising diphthongsD.Diphthong ��ia��E.Diphthong ��ie ��F.Diphthong ��io��G.Diphthong ��yo ��H.Diphthong ��ua��I.Diphthong ��ua ��J.Diphthong ��ue��A Summary of the articulation for the rising diphthongs in NingboA Summary of the diphthong production in Ningbo5.3.1.3 Articulation of the triphthong5.3.2 Articulator kinematics of the diphthongs5.3.2.1 Average velocity5.3.2.2 Peak velocity and the time to peak velocity5.4 ConclusionChapter Six�� Acoustic�� artieulatory�� and aerodynamic aspects of the nasal vowels and vowel nasalization in Ningbo Chinese6.1 Introduciton6.2 The acoustic and articulatory studies6.2.1 Procedures6.2.2 Results and discussion6.2.2.1 Spectral results6.2.2.2 The articulatory configurations of the nasal vowels6.2.3 Summary6.3 The aerodynamic study6.3.1 Methodological considerations6.3.2 Procedures6.3.3 Results and discussion6.3.3.I The temporal structure of the nasal vowels and vowel nasalization6.3.3.2 Nasality of the nasal vowels and vowel Nasalization in Ningbo6.3.4 Summary6.4 ConclusionChapter Seven�� Conclusion and general discussion7.1 Vowel features from the acoustic�� articulatory�� and aerodynamic perspectives7.1.1 Vowel height and vowel backness7.1.2 Lip rounding7.1.3 Nasality7.1.4 Duration7.1.5 Apical vowels7.2 Articulation and acoustics of diphthongs7.3 General discussion of the articualtory-to-acoustic relationsReferencesAppendix �� Ningbo Vowel formant dataAppendix �� Ningbo diphthong formant dataAppendix �� Ningbo triphthong formant dataAppendix ���� The articulatory data for the Ningbo diphthongsAppendix ���� The artieulatory data for the Ningbo triphthong��ӛ