Speech rate perception and interlocutor identification in human-directed vs. device-directed speech
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36505/TheLinguisticProceedings/2025/16/01/001/000661Keywords:
human-directed speech, speech perception, device-directed speech, speech rate, interlocutor identificationAbstract
This study investigates how listeners perceive differences between human-directed and device-directed speech, focusing on speech rate and interlocutor identification. Seventy-eight native Arabic speakers (aged 19–22; M = 20.46, SD = 1.11) participated in two tasks: rating the speed of 30 short recordings and determining whether each sample was directed towards a person or a device. The results showed that device-directed speech was consistently perceived as faster, while human-directed speech enabled more accurate interlocutor identification. Statistical analyses confirmed that these differences were significant, with moderate effect sizes. The findings suggest that devices produce speech efficiently but lack the natural variability that characterises human communication. Incorporating more dynamic and expressive features into voice systems could improve user engagement. Future research should consider cultural differences and emotional tone in shaping speech perception.
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Articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly credited.
