Accentedness and givenness: Change in word, syllable, or segment duration?

Abstract

In an earlier paper [W. Eefting, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 85, S97 (1989)] the results of a study concerning the relation between the features “givenness” and “accentedness” and the duration of Dutch words were presented. Production data from a highly trained, professional speaker indicated that the duration of one syllable and three syllable words is lengthened when accented. Information value had only an effect on one syllable words: One syllable words containing new information were lengthened as compared to the same words containing old information. It remained unclear whether the differences in word duration affected the temporal structure of the whole word; a local change within the word might be responsible for the differences. In the present study, the durations of the syllables and the segments within the target words are measured. Data will be presented showing that all segments in the one syllable words and all syllables in the three syllable words contribute to the differences in word duration as described above. These findings support our claim that in speech the control of word duration is an active skill and that words are the most important units of speech communication. [Work supported by the SPIN‐ASSP Program.]