Influence of a standard electropalatography artificial palate upon articulation. A preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of a standard electropalatography (EPG) palate upon speech articulation in 3 normal speakers under standard EPG testing conditions.


METHODS
Three adult females aged 26, 31 and 34 years read the experimental phrase 'say CV again' 5 times under 3 experimental conditions: normal speech (without a palate in situ), 45 min after EPG palate insertion and 3 h after EPG palate insertion. Consonants and vowels commonly used in EPG research were studied and included /t/, /s/ and /integral/ in the /i/, /a/ and /u/ vowel environments. Perceptual and acoustic analysis of the data was completed.


RESULTS
The results revealed varied patterns of adaptation across the 3 participants. Perceptual analysis suggested that 2 of the participants adapted to the presence of the palate; however, 1 did not. The presence of the palate resulted in significant changes to consonant duration for all 3 participants. Spectrally, production of /t/ was unaffected by the presence of the palate, while articulation of fricatives varied across the participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Paired with a previous study examining the effects of an EPG palate upon speech articulation [McLeod S, Searl J: Am J Speech Lang Pathol 2006;15:192-206], the present data suggest that researchers and clinicians alike should be aware of the potential perturbing effects of the palate.
Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. megan.mcauliffe@canterbury.ac.nz
Megan J
MJ
McAuliffe
Emily
E
Lin
Michael P
MP
Robb
Bruce E
BE
Murdoch
D000328:Adult; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021362:Palate, Hard; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013060:Speech; D013068:Speech Production Measurement