Real-time magnetic resonance imaging of velopharyngeal port posture during long pauses in naturalistic speech

Abstract

Velum’s behavior as a postural substrate in naturalistic speech is not well understood and is largely based on studies of inter-utterance velopharyngeal port posture (VPP). While existing literature [e.g., Gick et al., 2004 Phonetica, 61(4); Ramanarayanan, 2013 JASA, 134(1)] describes posture variations based on rest positions, ready positions, and inter-speech pauses, a less explored aspect is the behavior of the velum during extended pauses in naturalistic speech. Addressing this gap, the present study analyzes velum posture during naturalistic speech to characterize VPP during prolonged pauses. This study draws from a corpus of real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) videos of L1 English speakers including those engaging in unstructured speech tasks. Results based on sequences corresponding to long pauses in naturalistic speech will be reported, outlining VPP characteristics, and quantifying findings in terms of time spent in and shifts between velum positions. Implications for motor control differences in naturalistic and elicited speech data will be discussed.