Non-native clear speech: The roles of proficiency and speech target

Abstract

Previous work has demonstrated that native talkers are able to enhance intelligibility by using a speaking style typically referred to as “clear speech.” However, it is less clear whether talkers who are speaking a language other than their native language are also able to produce speech in a style that results in intelligibility gains for listeners. In this talk, we will present a series of studies investigating the role of proficiency (higher versus lower proficiency) and target of clear speech (individual segments versus global properties of speech). The work suggests that both lower- and higher-proficiency non-native talkers reliably produce clear speech, but lower-proficiency talkers do not reliable produce a casual or reduced speaking style, and non-native talkers. Further, both groups of non-native talkers are more successful at producing clear speech when the target is a single segment, though this varies as a function of their experience with the particular segment in question. We will present both production and perception data as evidence for these claims. We will conclude by discussing the role of the listener and their familiarity with talkers and accents in our understanding of non-native clear speech.