Speech priming: Evidence for rate persistence in unscripted speech

Previous research has shown evidence for priming of rate in scripted speech. Two experiments examined the persistence of rate in production of unscripted picture descriptions. In Experiment 1, speakers heard and repeated priming sentences presented at a fast or slow rate and in a passive or active form. Speakers then described a new picture. The timing of their productions reflected the timing of the prime. In Experiment 2, participants heard but did not repeat the priming sentences. As in Experiment 1, their picture descriptions reflected the rate of the priming sentences. These experiments demonstrate persistence of rate, an acoustic dimension related to prosody, in unscripted speech. The persistence in timing may provide a social advantage and help to coordinate conversation.