Effect of sign task on speech timing in simultaneous communication

Author(s): Schiavetti, N., Whitehead, B. H., Metz, D. E.

Journal/Book: J Commun Disord. 1997; 30: 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010. Elsevier Science Inc. 439-455.

Abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of the signing task on temporal features of speech during simultaneous communication (SC). The effects of three independent variables: (a) communication mode (speech only vs. SC); (b) sign task demand (base vs. Elaborated signs), and (c) type of sign movement (kinetic vs. Morphokinetic) were studied on five dependent variables: (a) word duration; (b) sentence duration; (c) diphthong duration; (d) interword interval before signed experimental word (IWIB); and (e) interword interval after signed experimental word (IWIA). Audio recordings were made of 12 normal hearing, experienced sign language users speaking experimental words that varied in sign task demand and movement under SC and speech only (SO) conditions. Results indicated longer sentence durations for SC than SO and longer anticipatory durations of IWIB and diphthong before signed words, especially those using signs with greater task demand or with movements including hand shape change. IWIA only lengthened for SC vs. SO with no further effect of sign task demand or movement. These results indicate finite effects of sign task demand and movement on pause and segment durations before the sign but not as strong an effect as has been reported for increased fingerspelling task length.

Note: Article Whitehead RL, Rochester Inst Technol, Natl Tech Inst Deaf, Lyndon Baines Johnson Bldg, 52 Lomb Mem Dr, Rochester,NY 14623 USA

Keyword(s): sign language; simultaneous communication; speech production; hearing impairment; deaf culture; SPOKEN NARRATIVES; LANGUAGE

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