Speaking rates of American and New Zealand varieties of English

Abstract

Various acoustic measures of speaking rate were calculated for 40 adult speakers of New Zealand English (NZE). These measures were then compared to a group of 40 adult speakers of American English (AE). Results of the analysis identified significantly faster overall speaking rate and articulation rate for the NZE group compared to the AE group. No gender differences in speaking rate or articulation rate were found for either variety of English. The observed differences in rate between AE and NZE are interpreted with regard to diverse vowel production patterns between the varieties, as well as possible differences in rhythmic timing patterns. The impact of differences in speaking rate between varieties of English on the assessment and treatment of speech timing disorders is discussed.