Measures of speech production

Abstract

The author discusses the mechanisms of speech production, focusing on the measurement of its motor aspects. He examines the multiple representation levels at which physiological events that underlie speech production can be investigated, and examines measurement of neuromuscular activity, structure movement (e.g. kinematics and dynamics), aerodynamic phenomena, and/or the acoustic output. He describes two general approaches. Studies can focus on one system and obtain data at multiple levels; for example, simultaneous recording of EMG (electromyogram) and/or kinematic signals, as well as the acoustic signal; this permits comprehensive assessment of physiologic events within a particular system. Alternatively, studies can obtain recordings of the acoustic signal simultaneously with EMG and/or kinematic signals taken from several systems; this permits assessment of the organization of physiologic events within, as well as between, systems. The author illustrates these methods in a study of stuttering.