This article demonstrates a technique linguists can use to objectively determine a speaker’s intent to conceal. The article reviews the theoretical foundation for classifying reference forms in wiretapped data. After classifying data obtained from a criminal trial that involves speakers from a drug cartel, the article presents simple statistics to support the argument that a speaker’s intent to conceal can be objectively determined, provided a larger study is undertaken to set statistical standards as reference points. The article contains an outline on how to conduct this study.
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