Pitch and Intensity Characteristics of Connected Speech

Curves of fundamental pitch and relative intensity, both graphed against time, were obtained from approximately 200 subjects. The pitch curves were obtained from oscillograms and from the strobophotographic camera (to be described briefly). The intensity curves were obtained by means of a high speed output-level indicator, equipped to give a photographic record (to be described). The subjects were divided into groups according to speech training and experience and separate analyses made of the data from each group. Spoken material both factual and informational in content was used, separate analyses again being made for each type of material. The major results consist of a statistical summary of the pitch and intensity characteristics of these voices speaking under the different conditions. A treatment of the rôle of pitch and intensity in determining emphasis, or stress, and the effect of emotional expression on these sound wave factors, will also be included.