Analysis of language-speech samples with salt and pepper

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Computational Linguistics
• Linguistic Analysis

Background:

• Microcomputer-aided analysis enhances efficiency in processing large language-speech datasets.
• Comprehensive morpho-syntactic and phonetic/phonologic analyses often require multiple software programs.
• Existing formatting procedures for different software can lead to duplicated effort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and evaluate a procedure for the combined use of Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) and Programs to Examine Phonetic and Phonologic Evaluation Records (PEPPER).
• To minimize duplicated effort in formatting language-speech samples for dual-software analysis.
• To explore methodological issues in the integrated application of SALT and PEPPER.

Main Methods:

• Developed a standardized procedure for formatting language-speech samples compatible with both SALT and PEPPER.
• Conducted a study to assess the validity, reliability, and efficiency of the combined procedure.
• Compared results obtained from narrow phonetic transcription versus standard orthographic transcription.

Main Results:

• The combined SALT and PEPPER procedure demonstrated general support for its validity, reliability, and efficiency.
• The proposed method effectively minimizes redundant formatting efforts.
• The study identified considerations regarding the choice between narrow phonetic and standard orthographic transcription.

Conclusions:

• The integrated approach using SALT and PEPPER offers a valid, reliable, and efficient method for detailed language sample analysis.
• This procedure streamlines the analytical process, reducing researcher workload.
• Further investigation is warranted into the implications of transcription type on continuous language-speech sample analysis.