Does language matter in oral diadochokinesis (DDK) performances?

Abstract

Oral diadochokinesis (DDK) typically refers to rapid repetitions of monosyllables (e.g., /pʌ/, /tʌ/, /kʌ/) or multisyllables (e.g., /pʌtʌkʌ/). DDK has been frequently included in studies of motor development and disorders and its use has increased over the past decade. One unanswered question in using DDK for investigation of speech motor control is whether the studied language serves as an important factor in DDK performances. Despite the general agreement that DDK performance (mostly DDK rates) is little affected by a speaker’s native language, few data exist on language- or dialect-specific effects on DDK, which may be explained by factors such as speaking rate and rhythmic pattern of the languages. In this study, we compare DDK performances in two languages, American English (AE) and Korean, which were chosen primarily because of the difference in their rhythmic patterns (stressed-timed versus syllable-timed). A total of 80 young adults (40 AE-, 40 Korean-speakers) performed both mono- and multi-syllable repetitions and analysis was limited to the first 5 seconds of each performance. We will present data on several aspects of DDK performance focusing on prosodic patterns (syllable and intersyllable pause durations, intensity, and F0 across syllables) in addition to average DDK rates.