Speech production measurement is a term used in the field of linguistics to refer to the process of quantifying speech sounds produced by an individual. The term is spelled with the IPA transcription /spiːt͡ʃ prəˈdʌkʃən ˈmɛʒərmənt/, wherein "speech" is transcribed with the vowel sound /i:/ and the consonant cluster /t͡ʃ/, "production" is transcribed with the unstressed vowel /ə/ and the consonant cluster /pr/, and "measurement" is transcribed with the vowel sounds /e/ and /ʌ/ and the consonant clusters /ʒərm/.
Speech production measurement refers to the quantitative assessment and analysis of various aspects of speech production. It involves the use of objective tools and techniques to measure and evaluate the physical, acoustic, and perceptual characteristics of speech in order to gain insights into individuals' speech production abilities, disorders, or changes over time.
One common technique used in speech production measurement is articulography, which involves tracking and recording the movements of the articulatory organs involved in speech production, such as the tongue, lips, and jaw. This allows researchers and clinicians to examine and quantify the coordination and timing of these movements during speech.
Another commonly used tool is acoustic analysis, which involves the measurement and analysis of speech sounds based on their physical properties, such as frequency, intensity, and duration. This enables the assessment and comparison of various acoustic features of speech, such as vowel formants or consonant spectral characteristics, which can provide valuable information about speech production abilities and potential disorders.
Perceptual assessment, on the other hand, involves subjective judgment and evaluation of speech samples by listeners or trained professionals. This can involve rating individuals' speech intelligibility, fluency, or other aspects of speech production based on their auditory perception.
Overall, speech production measurement aims to provide objective and quantitative data about speech production abilities, deviations, or improvements, which can be used for research purposes, diagnosis of speech disorders, treatment planning, or monitoring progress in speech therapy.