Acoustic Methods for Speech Science

Acoustic Methods for Speech Science is the first-of-its-kind textbook to provide clear guidance on the use of acoustic analyses to identify and describe speech patterns in children and adults, including individuals with disorders or dialectal variations. For courses in speech and voice science, sociophonetics, linguistics, and related areas, it encompasses both practical advice and experience in acoustic analysis, with hands-on activities to engage students and ensure comprehension. The activities present examples of speakers of different ages and genders with advice on how analyses should be adjusted for different speaker characteristics. The book includes examples from growing populations in the United States, such as bilingual individuals, and discusses current topics such as automatic speech recognition, speech synthesis, text-to-speech, and various applications of artificial intelligence.

The material covered in the book is made understandable for students who do not have a strong background in mathematics or physical sciences. Acoustic concepts and methods are clearly explained and amply illustrated. The text uses the freely available Praat software for activities guiding students through the applications of acoustic analysis, providing readers with little or no experience in acoustics with multiple opportunities for learning by doing. With its integration of knowledge and robust learning activities, this textbook will be a go-to resource for practitioners-in-training or anyone who seeks to understand contemporary applications of speech acoustics. 

Key Features

• Discusses a wide range of topics including acoustic theories of speech, techniques of analysis, acoustic and perceptual features of various phonetic classes, acoustic cues for suprasegmentals, sociophonetics, speech technologies, clinical applications, and effects of age, gender, and sex
• Focuses on the application of speech and voice acoustics to disorders and dialects in different age-gender populations
• Includes a wide array of activities showing how Praat can be used to analyze speech samples 
• Utilizes bolded key words, case studies, chapter summaries, and a glossary for enhanced learning
• Contains information on acoustic profiles of speech sounds, Praat-based activities, advice on optimal analysis methods, and key references to the literature
• Abundant ancillary support for both instructors and students