Designing the Slovak Matrix Sentence Test

Abstract

This paper presents partial results of a larger-scale project of designing the matrix sentence test for Slovak. The main aim is presentation and detailed discussion of linguistic aspects of Slovak matrix sentence test. First, morphosyntactic criteria are outlined. These are followed by description of problematic issues and the solutions proposed. Second, phonological criteria are given and discussed. In the next step, the matrix test will be optimized and evaluated in order to measure speech intelligibility function and to establish the correct reference data for listeners with normal hearing.

Testing in Noise Based on the First Adaptive Matrix Sentence Test in Slovak Language

“…The category of proper names consists of five female and five male names that are very frequent in Slovak according to the Slovak National Corpus [27]. In the study [28] dedicated to the proposal of an adaptive matrix in the Slovak language, the verbs were "waits", "holds", and "takes"; in this new version of the matrix, more suitable alternatives have been found in the form of the words "buys", "finds", and "doesn't have". In the category of numerals, there was no change compared to the original version of the matrix.…”

“…Due to the nature of the matrix test, some deviations were expected, but they are easily justified. In the Slovak language, there are five short vowel phonemes /i, e, a, o, u/, five long vowel phonemes /i:, e:, a:, o:, u:/, four diphthongs /ia, ie, iu, uo/, and 27 consonant phonemes /p, b, m, f, v, t, d, n, l, r, s, z, ts, dz, c, Í, ñ, L, S, Z, Ù, Ã, j, k, g, x, h/ [28]. The graphic representation of the frequency of the occurrence of the Slovak vowel and consonant phonemes is depicted in Figure 1.…”