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Maximum Rate and Minimal Duration of Repeated Syllables

Sigurd, Bengt LU (1973) In Language and Speech 16(4). p.373-395
Abstract
Among the interesting questions related to tongue-twisters is the question how fast syllables of different types can be repeated. A simple pilot experiment with strings of open syllables such as [tatata...], [stastasta...], [strastrastra ...] was carried out. Differences in the results are interpreted as being due to individual differences in motor skills and to differences in the phonetic material of the syllables. Two simple mathematical models are derived to predict the data. The last model predicts repetition rate from assumed inherent durational values of the consonants involved. A correction factor (K) is established to compensate for the difference between observed and predicted values. This factor seems to depend on difficulties in... (More)
Among the interesting questions related to tongue-twisters is the question how fast syllables of different types can be repeated. A simple pilot experiment with strings of open syllables such as [tatata...], [stastasta...], [strastrastra ...] was carried out. Differences in the results are interpreted as being due to individual differences in motor skills and to differences in the phonetic material of the syllables. Two simple mathematical models are derived to predict the data. The last model predicts repetition rate from assumed inherent durational values of the consonants involved. A correction factor (K) is established to compensate for the difference between observed and predicted values. This factor seems to depend on difficulties in co-ordinating articulatory movements. Finally, some hypotheses and speculations concerning the connection between the results and the phonological structure of languages are advanced. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Language and Speech
volume
16
issue
4
pages
373 - 395
publisher
Kingston Press Ltd
external identifiers
  • scopus:0015670082
ISSN
1756-6053
DOI
10.1177/002383097301600408
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
53b8ab6f-342c-4ac3-b5a2-0968c35a745f
date added to LUP
2021-06-24 12:57:29
date last changed
2021-12-27 04:39:54
@article{53b8ab6f-342c-4ac3-b5a2-0968c35a745f,
  abstract     = {{Among the interesting questions related to tongue-twisters is the question how fast syllables of different types can be repeated. A simple pilot experiment with strings of open syllables such as [tatata...], [stastasta...], [strastrastra ...] was carried out. Differences in the results are interpreted as being due to individual differences in motor skills and to differences in the phonetic material of the syllables. Two simple mathematical models are derived to predict the data. The last model predicts repetition rate from assumed inherent durational values of the consonants involved. A correction factor (K) is established to compensate for the difference between observed and predicted values. This factor seems to depend on difficulties in co-ordinating articulatory movements. Finally, some hypotheses and speculations concerning the connection between the results and the phonological structure of languages are advanced.}},
  author       = {{Sigurd, Bengt}},
  issn         = {{1756-6053}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{373--395}},
  publisher    = {{Kingston Press Ltd}},
  series       = {{Language and Speech}},
  title        = {{Maximum Rate and Minimal Duration of Repeated Syllables}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/002383097301600408}},
  doi          = {{10.1177/002383097301600408}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{1973}},
}