Kinematics of head movements accompanying speech during conversation

Abstract

Head movement during conversation is closely related to the suprasegmental features of concurrent speech. Study of this relationship builds heavily on speed-related parameters of movement, the kinematic description of which is made here. In 4 subjects, movement of the head monitored by polarised-light goniometer was continuously recorded, together with the associated speech and a signal proportional to the peak loudness of speech. Results revealed a division of head movements into five kinematic classes: recognition of these may be helpful in understanding the role of head movements during speech.