EPG data reduction methods and their implications for studies of lingual coarticulation

Abstract

The technique of electropalatography (EPG) provides detailed spatio-temporal information on tongue contacts with the hard palate during continuous speech. In most available versions of the technique the contact data are obtained at a sampling rate of 100–200 Hz from a number of electrodes (usually more than 60) mounted on the surface of an artificial palate. Detailed qualitative information is available from appropriate computer processing, but for many purposes, e.g. for statistical analysis, quantitative data are required. This paper reviews some recent methods of EPG data reduction including numerical indices of contact patterns.