Phonetic convergence across multiple measures and model talkers

Abstract

This study consolidates findings on phonetic convergence in a large-scale examination of the impacts of talker sex, word frequency, and model talkers on multiple measures of convergence. A survey of nearly three dozen published reports revealed that most shadowing studies used very few model talkers and did not assess whether phonetic convergence varied across same-and mixed-sex pairings. Furthermore, some studies have reported effects of talker sex or word frequency on phonetic convergence, but others have failed to replicate these effects or have reported opposing patterns. In the present study, a set of 92 talkers (47 female) shadowed either same-sex or opposite-sex models (12 talkers, six female). Phonetic convergence was assessed in a holistic AXB perceptual-similarity task and in acoustic measures of duration, F0, F1, F2, and the F1 × F2 vowel space. Across these measures, convergence was subtle, variable, and inconsistent. There were no reliable main effects of talker sex or word frequency on any measures. However, female shadowers were more susceptible to lexical properties than were males, and model talkers elicited varying degrees of phonetic convergence. Mixed-effects regression models confirmed the complex relationships between acoustic and holistic perceptual measures of phonetic convergence. In order to draw broad conclusions about phonetic convergence, studies should employ multiple models and shadowers (both male and female), balanced multisyllabic items, and holistic measures. As a potential mechanism for sound change, phonetic convergence reflects complexities in speech perception and production that warrant elaboration of the underspecified components of current accounts.

The neural oscillatory markers of phonetic convergence during verbal interaction

“…The large interindividual variability is consistent with previous reports showing that convergence may not equally distribute across dyads (Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017). The large interindividual variability is consistent with previous reports showing that convergence may not equally distribute across dyads (Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017).…”

“…Although convergence (phonetic alignment) is a well-known phenomenon, its quantitative assessment is still an open area of research. Therefore, a great deal of inconsistency and variability still exists among studies (Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017). Therefore, a great deal of inconsistency and variability still exists among studies (Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017).…”

“…Several studies have focused on subjective evaluations (Pardo, 2013), whereas others have used a variety of objective acoustic measures (Goldinger, 1998). Therefore, a great deal of inconsistency and variability still exists among studies (Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017). One key novelty of our study is that we implemented a quantitative method to extract phonetic convergence from a game-like task, allowing an engaging, yet relatively constrained, phonetic interaction.…”

Perspectives on the motivations for phonetic convergence

“…Due to small sample size, their results on inspiration of imitation were inconclusive, though they found that women more readily perform and detect imitation than men. Other studies, however, have found contradictory gender patterns (Pardo, 2006) or even failed to reproduce gender differences in imitation at all Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, 2017). Pardo's (2006) study is one that complicates findings regarding a straightforward effect of gender on imitative behavior by suggesting that other socio-situational factors might interact with gender.…”

“…Due to small sample size, their results on inspiration of imitation were inconclusive, though they found that women more readily perform and detect imitation than men. Other studies, however, have found contradictory gender patterns (Pardo, ) or even failed to reproduce gender differences in imitation at all (Pardo et al, ; Pardo, Urmanche, Wilman, & Wiener, ).…”