Speech, Hearing and Voice Research Group

Current members: Rachael-Anne Knight (convenor), Allen Hirson, Jo Verhoeven, Mary Lee, Paul Turner, Anne Zimmer Stahl
 

Forensics

(Allen Hirson)

One focus of research is Forensic Phonetics, which includes such topics as speaker identification, voice disguise, the effects of alcohol intoxication on speech, and the effects of memory, hearing and musical skills on speaker identification. Links have been established with the Bundes Kriminal Amt in Wiesbaden, the Kriminal Amt in Munich, Germany and other forensic labs in Europe.

Labiodental /r/

(Rachael-Anne Knight, Mark J. Jones, Allen Hirson)

Another focus of interest concerns the labiodental variant of /r/ in British English.  In collaboration with Mark Jones at the University of Cambridge work is being conducted which concerns the acoustics of this variant in adults and children, and the relationship between a speaker's production and perception.

Intonation

(Rachael-Anne Knight and Jo Verhoeven)

Experimental work concerning intonation is also undertaken by the group.  Specific areas of interest are fine phonetic detail in the intonation contour, the role of physical constraints on the production and perception of intonation, and the role of fundamental frequency in signalling prominence.