An acoustic and perceptual analysis of children’s adaptation to an electropalatographic sensor

Abstract

Previous research has investigated adults’ ability to adapt their speech to an electropalatographic (EPG) pseudopalate; however, less is known about how children adapt their speech to the presence of the device. This study examined the acoustic and perceptual effect of an EPG pseudopalate on six elementary school-aged children’s ability to produce the fricatives /s/ and /ʃ/. Speech productions were collected at eight time intervals including before placement of the pseudopalate, at 30-min increments with the pseudopalate in place, immediately following removal of the pseudopalate, and 30 min after removal. The fricative targets were produced in a carrier phrase and during spontaneous conversation. Adaptation was evaluated by measuring the fricative duration, spectral mean, spectral variance, and relative intensity, as well as a series of perceptual ratings from 20 native English listeners. Although there was a relatively high amount of variability among and within speakers, for several children evidence of adaptation was found after 30 minutes. For some participants, full adaptation did not occur until the pseudopalate was removed. Although future research is needed, it is hoped that this study will provide a greater understanding of children’s ability to adapt to the EPG pseudopalate.Previous research has investigated adults’ ability to adapt their speech to an electropalatographic (EPG) pseudopalate; however, less is known about how children adapt their speech to the presence of the device. This study examined the acoustic and perceptual effect of an EPG pseudopalate on six elementary school-aged children’s ability to produce the fricatives /s/ and /ʃ/. Speech productions were collected at eight time intervals including before placement of the pseudopalate, at 30-min increments with the pseudopalate in place, immediately following removal of the pseudopalate, and 30 min after removal. The fricative targets were produced in a carrier phrase and during spontaneous conversation. Adaptation was evaluated by measuring the fricative duration, spectral mean, spectral variance, and relative intensity, as well as a series of perceptual ratings from 20 native English listeners. Although there was a relatively high amount of variability among and within speakers, for several children evidence o...