Speech Rhythm in Kannada Speaking Children: 4-5 Years

Abstract

Rhythm is a systematic temporal and accentual patterning of sound. The Pairwise Variability Index (PVI) is a quantitative measure of acoustic correlates of speech rhythm which calculates patterning of successive vocalic and intervocalic intervals showing how one linguistic unit differs from its neighbour. The present study investigated the type of speech rhythm in thirty (15 boys and 15 girls) typically developing 4-5 year old Kannada speaking children. Each child was instructed to describe simple pictures/cartoons to elicit a five-minute speech sample, which was recorded and stored onto the computer memory. PRAAT 5.1.14 software was used to analyze and measure the vocalic (V) and intervocalic (IV) durations of speech samples. The result indicated higher intervocalic PVI compared to vocalic PVI in typically developing, Kannada speaking, 4-5 year old children. Results also reveal different type of speech rhythm pattern in younger and older age groups of children and adults speaking Kannada