A Study of Nonsense Syllables Spoken by Two Language Groups in Varying Conditions of Sidetone and Reading Rate

Abstract

Twenty-eight experimental subjects, 14 English-speaking and 14 Hindi-speaking, were assigned to record an equal number of paired nonsense syllables under two conditions of three variables: (1) delayed and normal sidetone, (2) noisy and quiet conditions of listening, and (3) fast and normal rates of speaking. The results show that the two language groups did not differ statistically significantly in the mean duration of the syllables nor in mean syllabic speech power. The duration of speech was universally lengthened under the condition of delayed sidetone, as compared to the normal. The duration was also longer under the condition of normal rate of reading as compared to the fast. Both delayed sidetone and noise in the earphones increased the mean syllabic speech power of the speakers. Presumably the noise reduced the talkers' awareness of the delayed sidetone.

Although delayed sidetone increased the number of phonetic errors as compared to the normal sidetone for all, the two language groups differed significantly in scores that were derived from the phonetic transcriptions of recorded verbal material.