Ohala J J
Phonetica. 1984;41(1):1-16. doi: 10.1159/000261706.
The author suggests that the following seemingly disparate phenomena have an underlying relationship: cross-language similarities in the intonation contours for statements versus questions, cross-cultural similarities in the vocal expression via intonation of attitude and affect, cross-language patterns in the use of tone, vowels, and consonants in "sound symbolic' vocabulary , cross-species use of F0 in threatening or non threatening vocalizations, cross-cultural and cross-species use of certain facial expressions (involving distinct mouth shape), and the existence of sexual dimorphism in the vocal anatomy of humans (and certain non humans). He argues that all arise due to an innately specified "frequency code', which associates high acoustic frequency with the primary meaning of "small vocalizer ' and thus such secondary meanings as "subordinate, submissive, non threatening, desirous of the receiver's goodwill , etc.' and associates with low acoustic frequency the primary meaning of "large vocalizer ' and such secondary meanings as "dominant, aggressive, threatening, etc.'
作者认为，以下这些看似毫不相干的现象存在着内在联系：陈述句与疑问句语调轮廓中的跨语言相似性；通过语调表达态度和情感方面的跨文化相似性；“语音象征”词汇中声调、元音和辅音使用的跨语言模式；跨物种在威胁性或非威胁性发声中对基频的运用；某些面部表情（涉及不同嘴型）的跨文化和跨物种使用；以及人类（和某些非人类）发声解剖结构中的性别二态性。他认为，所有这些现象都是由于一种天生指定的“频率编码”而产生的，这种编码将高音频与“小型发声者”的主要含义联系起来，进而与诸如“从属、顺从、无威胁、渴望得到接受者的善意等”次要含义联系起来；并将低音频与“大型发声者”的主要含义以及诸如“主导、攻击性、威胁性等”次要含义联系起来。
