Abstract
Pause and rate phenomena were examined for two levels of spontaneity in speech in a nonlaboratory setting. Speech samples were taken from two groups of homilies (sermons): those prepared and taped for radio broadcast (Group B) and those delivered live to a congregation during a weekday service (Group L). When compared with the less spontaneous Group B, the more spontaneous Group L exhibited slower speech rate, longer pauses, greater percentage of pause time, and different distribution of pauses relative to preceding and following content and function words. Pause frequency was higher, but not significantly so. Results are compared with data from studies of temporal phenomena in reading and retelling stories and in telling spontaneous narratives.
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Szawara, J., O’connell, D.C. Temporal reflections of spontaneity in homilies. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 9, 360–362 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03337023