Abstract
Child-directed speech (CDS) is produced with a slower tempo compared to adult-directed speech (ADS). Yet the characterization of CDS as simply slowly spoken speech masks a number of underlying subtleties. We investigated temporal characteristics of CDS as a function of speech register based on a highly controlled set of elicited data. six sentence forms containing five monosyllabic words were read several times in declarative and question intonation with three focus conditions in CDS and ADS. After an evaluation of the data through a perceptual rating task, 2301 sentences produced by one mother and five theater students were segmented at the word-level using forced-alignment tools (Yuan and Liberman, 2008). We found strong effects of the CDS register on duration across the entire sentence. Additionally, elongation in CDS applied even to the syllables without an explicit focal accent and to function words. Our data also demonstrated a highly consistent ratio of the final syllable to the sentence duration both in CDS and ADS across all subjects. These results suggest that the slow speaking rate in CDS cannot be attributed to any single effect such as the exaggerated utterance-final lengthening (Church etal., 2005) or effects of lexical categories (Swanson etal., 1992).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
