MAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS LABORATORY REPORT
Date
1978-02-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The paper reports a statistical study that has been carried
out in an attempt to gain insight into the nature and underlying causes of
rhythm in spoken British English. Two sets of utterances were selected
as specially suited to the study, being both widely available as
published audio tapes and spoken carefully in an attempt to exemplify
normal spoken British English for the benefit of foreign students of the
language [Study Units 30 and 39 from M.A.K. Halliday, A Course in
Spoken English: Intonation (Oxford University, Oxford, 1970)].
Segmental analysis were performed and the resulting data on segment
durations together with additional (higher level) information were
prepared for computer analysis. It was found that, although there was
some tendency towards isochrony (equally timed rhythmic units),
constraints of isochrony accounted for at most 10% of the durational structure of
the rhythmic units. Much of the rhythmic structure (about 45%) is
adequately accounted for by the mean durations of the constituent
phonemes. Other factors play a minor role. [Work supported by the
National Research Council of Canada].
Description
Keywords
Computer Science