Self-initiated error-repairs in cluttering

The aim of the study is the analysis of the error-repairs of people with cluttering (PWC), whether they repair their speech errors similarly to control speakers or not. Error-repairs were analysed in spontaneous speech samples of 13 PWC and 13 age- and sex-matched control speakers. Error-to-cutoff time, duration of the editing phase, and error-to-repair time were measured. Strategies of repairs (point of interruption, proportion of delays, and types of editing terms and phases) were also examined. Results of the two groups were compared. Results show that there are no differences between the two groups in the total duration of error-repairs. However, there might be differences between the two groups in the self-repair strategies. Results suggest that control speakers might try to plan the error-repairs in parallel with the speech production and they interrupt the speech when the repair is available. In contrast, PWC interrupt speaking earlier perhaps to focus on planning self-repairs.