Several investigators have recently used strain-gauge pressure transducers to study linguo-palatal contacts during speech. The transducers offer a new and more accurate way to study tongue placement during production of an acoustic signal. Physical deformation of strain-gauge transducers causes changes in gauge resistance that are proportional to the deforming pressure. Strain gauges are also temperature sensitive. Base-line deviations due to thermal changes are particularly troublesome when automated data processing is desired. A successful lingual pressure transducer must be small, sensitive, highly temperature compensated, and capable of being packaged to withstand the intraoral environment. We describe two improved types of lingual pressure transducers, one using semiconductor strain gauges, the other employing film strain gauges. Despite their high inherent sensitivity, semiconductor transducers have performed poorly in the mouth because of temperature-compensation problems and fragility. Transducers based on film strain gauges can offer a highly stable base line with excellent sensitivity, acceptable size characteristics, and reduced cost.