The gaits of speech
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Marianne Pouplier
Abstract
Physiological factors of speech production are generally recognized to have a shaping role for spoken language. In particular articulatory effort is thought to be an important factor conditioning variability in spoken language, and is therefore identified as one of the driving factors of sound change. For example, clear speech is often assumed to be more effortful than casual speech. The current paper argues that the evaluation of movement efficiency based on the number of gestures produced or distance travelled by the articulators is too narrow a concept given the complexities of the speech production system. Why this is so is illustrated on the basis of velar loops and dynamically conditioned articulatory reorganization in speech errors. Instead, we argue that articulatory reorganization associated with speaking styles is a hallmark of skill, not speaker ‘laziness’. Different speaking styles and rates should be regarded as being equally cost effective in their given contexts.
Abstract
Physiological factors of speech production are generally recognized to have a shaping role for spoken language. In particular articulatory effort is thought to be an important factor conditioning variability in spoken language, and is therefore identified as one of the driving factors of sound change. For example, clear speech is often assumed to be more effortful than casual speech. The current paper argues that the evaluation of movement efficiency based on the number of gestures produced or distance travelled by the articulators is too narrow a concept given the complexities of the speech production system. Why this is so is illustrated on the basis of velar loops and dynamically conditioned articulatory reorganization in speech errors. Instead, we argue that articulatory reorganization associated with speaking styles is a hallmark of skill, not speaker ‘laziness’. Different speaking styles and rates should be regarded as being equally cost effective in their given contexts.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors and discussion participants ix
- Editors’ introduction 1
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Part I. Perception
- The listener as a source of sound change 21
- Perception grammars and sound change 37
- A phonetic interpretation of the sound changes affecting dark /l/ in Romance 57
- The production and perception of sub-phonemic vowel contrasts and the role of the listener in sound change 77
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Part II. Production
- The coarticulatory basis of diachronic high back vowel fronting 103
- Natural and unnatural patterns of sound change? 123
- The gaits of speech 147
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Part III. Social factors, structural factors and the typology of change
- Prosodic skewing of input and the initiation of cross-generational sound change 167
- Social and personality variables in compensation for altered auditory feedback 185
- Patterns of lexical diffusion and articulatory motivation for sound change 211
- Foundational concepts in the scientific study of sound change 235
- Index of subjects and terms 247
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors and discussion participants ix
- Editors’ introduction 1
-
Part I. Perception
- The listener as a source of sound change 21
- Perception grammars and sound change 37
- A phonetic interpretation of the sound changes affecting dark /l/ in Romance 57
- The production and perception of sub-phonemic vowel contrasts and the role of the listener in sound change 77
-
Part II. Production
- The coarticulatory basis of diachronic high back vowel fronting 103
- Natural and unnatural patterns of sound change? 123
- The gaits of speech 147
-
Part III. Social factors, structural factors and the typology of change
- Prosodic skewing of input and the initiation of cross-generational sound change 167
- Social and personality variables in compensation for altered auditory feedback 185
- Patterns of lexical diffusion and articulatory motivation for sound change 211
- Foundational concepts in the scientific study of sound change 235
- Index of subjects and terms 247
