Enhanced memory for sentences read aloud conversationally versus clearly: Evidence from sentence recognition memory and recall

Abstract

Native and non-native listeners were more accurate in identifying sentences as previously heard and in recalling words and entire sentences when they heard clear speech compared to conversational speech (Keerstock and Smiljanic, 2018, 2019). This clear speech benefit on listeners' memory might in part be due to decreased listening effort in perceiving intelligibility-enhancing clear speech (“effortfulness hypothesis,” Rabbitt, 1968). The effect of reading sentences aloud in clear speech on talkers' memory, however, is unknown. We hypothesized that the effort required to produce clear speech could detrimentally affect memory encoding. In the present study, native and non-native English speakers read sentences aloud in clear and conversational speaking styles. Their memory of the read sentences was assessed either via a sentence recognition memory task (Experiment 1; n = 90) or a recall task (Experiment 2; n = 75). Results from both experiments showed superior retention of spoken information for sentences read aloud conversationally rather than clearly. The results indicate that producing clear speech, unlike perceiving it, interferes with sentence recognition memory and recall. Production of listener-oriented hyper-articulated speech may increase cognitive load leaving fewer cognitive resources available for storing spoken information in memory.