Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
08:32
Ultrasound Images of the Tongue: A Tutorial for Assessment and Remediation of Speech Sound Errors
Published on: January 3, 2017
Schwa elision in fast speech: segmental deletion or gestural overlap?
1New York University, Department of Linguistics, New York, NY 10003, USA. lisa.davidson@nyu.edu
Phonetica
|October 10, 2006
Summary
Pretonic schwa elision in fast speech is best explained by gestural overlap, not deletion. Individual speech rates influence elision, but phonotactic legality does not.
Area of Science:
- Phonetics
- Phonology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Pretonic schwa elision in fast speech is a known phenomenon studied in linguistics.
- Previous phonological and phonetic studies had limitations, relying on intuition or limited data.
- Understanding elision requires examining acoustic criteria and speaker variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define acoustic criteria for schwa elision.
- To determine if elision is deletion or gestural overlap.
- To investigate if elision rates vary between individual speakers.
Main Methods:
- Acoustic analysis of 28 different [#CeC-] sequences.
- Examination of speech rate and phonotactic legality effects on elision.
- Comparison of elision patterns across individual speakers.
Main Results:
- Acoustic patterns support elision as gestural overlap, not segmental deletion.
- Individual speakers exhibit different elision strategies based on speech rate.
- Phonotactic legality does not significantly impact elision rates.
Conclusions:
- Schwa elision is best characterized as a continuum of gestural overlap.
- Speech rate is a key factor influencing elision, potentially modifying phonological timing.
- Speaker-specific variations in elision strategies exist.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Deglutition
Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:27Esophageal Achalasia
Esophageal achalasia is a chronic neurogenic disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and absent or ineffective peristalsis in the distal esophagus. This leads to a functional obstruction without a physical blockage, despite significant disruption of esophageal motility.EtiologyAchalasia is caused by degeneration of the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus, specifically the loss of inhibitory ganglion cells that produce vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)...
01:07Elaborative Rehearsals
Elaborative rehearsal is a crucial cognitive strategy that strengthens information encoding in long-term memory by making meaningful connections between new data and pre-existing knowledge. This approach contrasts with maintenance rehearsal, which involves simple repetition without delving into the significance of the information. While maintenance rehearsal might temporarily keep information active in short-term memory, it is less effective for long-term retention.
The effectiveness of...
The effectiveness of...
01:10Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon
The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a cognitive experience characterized by a temporary inability to retrieve specific information from memory despite having a strong feeling of knowing the information. Although individuals cannot access the target word or detail, they frequently recall related elements, such as its initial letter, syllable count, or context. This partial retrieval often causes frustration, as one might recognize a familiar face or know that a name starts with a specific...
01:22Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory
Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of information more...