EXPERIMENTAL PHONETICS IN MODERN LINGUISTICS: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS, RESEARCH METHODS, AND DIGITAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Experimental phonetics has become one of the most important branches of modern linguistics due to the rapid development of digital technologies and speech analysis software. Unlike traditional phonetic studies, which mainly rely on auditory perception and subjective observation, experimental phonetics employs scientific methods and computer-assisted tools to investigate the acoustic, articulatory, and perceptual properties of speech. This article discusses the theoretical foundations of experimental phonetics, its major research methods, and its significance in contemporary linguistic studies. Special attention is paid to the application of the Praat software, which has become one of the most widely used programs for acoustic speech analysis. The study also highlights the role of experimental phonetics in language teaching, speech technology, translation studies, and forensic linguistics. The findings indicate that experimental phonetics provides reliable and objective data, making it an indispensable research field in modern linguistic science.