Contributions by Agostino Gemelli (1878–1959) to the analysis of phonic linguistic variations
What is it about?
This contribution pays tribute to Agostino Gemelli (1878-1959), a psychologist and phonetician who pioneered modern experimental phonetics. Captivated by the dynamic nature of the acoustic phenomena of speech, a subject he encountered during his training in Germany under Carl Stumpf, he established a renowned laboratory and a multidisciplinary research programme on the spoken and sung voice at the Catholic University of Milan. This remarkable achievement led to his global renown.
Why is it important?
Electroacoustic analysis and unwavering dedication enabled Gemelli to address the limitations of a phonetics that was in its nascent stages in Italy. His research progressed from the study of the acoustic nature of language units (consonants, vowels) to timbre, to the minimum threshold of duration for perception, and ultimately to the subject that had captivated him most: variations.