Acoustic modifications in choral reading

Abstract

Choral reading is the condition in which one or more talkers read an assigned text aloud and in synchrony. Choral reading has several practical and theoretical applications, including use with beginning readers to enhance oral literacy, with people who stutter to evoke fluency, and as a tool for investigating speech rhythm. However, little is known about the speech acoustic modifications that occur when talkers perform the task of choral reading, or how different methods of eliciting choral reading may affect these modifications. In stuttering therapy, choral reading is usually elicited in pairs, either with two live talkers (choral reading) or one talker live and one prerecorded (track reading). While previous studies have assumed that these two reading conditions are equal, a recent study on speech timing suggests otherwise [F. Cummins, ARLO 3, 7–11 (2002)]. Measurements of pitch, amplitude and vowel duration will be compared across solo, track and choral reading of texts which vary in their perceived rhythmic organization. Acoustic data will be interpreted in reference to various theories regarding the effectiveness of choral reading for fluency enhancement. [Work supported by a University of Kansas Honors Program Undergraduate Research Award.]