What determines Cantonese speech rhythm?

Abstract

Background: Cantonese has long been considered as a syllable-timed language, yet acoustic correlates failed to provide sufficient valid evidence accounting for this perceptual characteristic. Cummins, Port, and Tajima developed the speech cycling task to capture variations in speech rhythm across languages. Aim: The present study explored (1) whether Cantonese speakers could complete speech cycling task, (2) how Cantonese speech rhythm interacts with the ‘Harmonic Timing Effect’ proposed by Cummins, and (3) the relative importance of syntactic constituents in determining Cantonese speech rhythm. Lastly, the study explored the possible influence of musical knowledge has on individual’s speech rhythm. Method: Twenty native Cantonese speakers were asked to consecutively produce a sentence in time with a metronome for five times at eight different tempi. The alignment patterns of particular syllables at simple harmonic phases – the 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 ratios of a phrase across different tempi and in relation to different syntactic structures were examined. Results: Participants were able to complete the speech cycling task and two major patterns of alignment were noted. Speakers adhered to the duple meter rule and downbeat rule. Alignment patters induced by syntactic variations were only revealed when duple meter rule was fulfilled. Otherwise, speakers lengthened the final syllable to fulfill the downbeat rule. Individuals without musical background appeared to be more vulnerable to variations induced by syntactic variations and speed than those with musical background. Conclusion: Syntactic constituents played a minor role in determining the rhythm than duple meter rule and downbeat rule. Future studies may continue to examine mechanisms behind the two major patterns, as well as the relationship between music training and speech rhythm.