In order to explore the influence of context on the phonetic design of talk-in-interaction, we investigated the pitch characteristics of short turns (insertions) that are produced by one speaker between turns from another speaker. We investigated the hypothesis that the speaker of the insertion designs her turn as a pitch match to the prior turn…

Examined recorded business telephone conversations, noting that at least some forms of spontaneous conversation contained a second form of global intonational marking. Certain attributes of intonation persisted throughout discourse units in the calls, differentiating one unit from another. Two types of parameters emerged (one controlling midpoint…

Describes a study done to determine which intonational parameters are most important to the meaning being conveyed within different social settings. Defines the factors that appear to influence the use of pitch and/or intensity prominence on negative words. Found that, in many situations, interactional rules take precedence over linguistic rules.…