The present article aims at exploring the invariant parameters involved in the perceptual normalization of French vowels. A set of 490 stimuli, including the ten French vowels /i y u e ø o ɛ œ ɔ a/ produced by an articulatory model, simulating seven growth stages and seven fundamental frequency values, has been submitted as a perceptual identification test to 43 subjects. The results confirm the important effect of the tonality distance between F1 and in perceived height. It does not seem, however, that height perception involves a binary organization determined by the 3–3.5-Bark critical distance. Regarding place of articulation, the tonotopic distance between F1 and F2 appears to be the best predictor of the perceived front–back dimension. Nevertheless, the role of the difference between F2 and F3 remains important. Roundedness is also examined and correlated to the effective second formant, involving spectral integration of higher formants within the 3.5-Bark critical distance. The results shed light on the issue of perceptual invariance, and can be interpreted as perceptual constraints imposed on speech production.
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