Speech Science Forum - Abbie Bradshaw (UCL)

Abstract:

Models of speech motor control place great emphasis on processing of self-generated speech feedback; however, these models are currently lacking in an appreciation of the role of external speech inputs in shaping speech productions e.g. as in phenomena such as phonetic convergence. In this talk, I will present research that aims to integrate these two literatures by investigating how speech motor control is affected by other voices. My research employs paradigms involving synchronous speech (the act of producing speech in synchrony with another voice), to study the effects of a synchronous speech input on (1) vocal convergence and (2) speech motor adaptation in the altered auditory feedback paradigm. This research has shown that synchronous speech induces incidental convergent changes in the acoustic properties of a speaker’s voice, so that they sound more similar to a voice they are synchronising with. Preliminary results suggest that in some cases this may interfere with the adaptation response.

Note: This talk is held as a hybrid event and can be accessed on Zoom.