Disfluencies Revisited—Are They Speaker-Specific?

The forensic application of phonetics relies on individuality in speech. In the domain, individual patterns verbal and paraverbal behavior are interest which readily available, measurable, consistent, robust to disguise telephone transmission. This contribution is written from perspective phonetic practitioner seeks establish a more comprehensive concept disfluency than previous studies have. A taxonomy possible variables forming part what can be termed outlined. It includes “classical” fillers, but extends well beyond these, covering, among others, additional types fillers as prolongations, also way combined with pauses. empirical section, materials collected for an earlier study re-examined subjected two different statistical procedures attempt approach issue individuality. Recordings consist several minutes spontaneous speech by eight speakers three occasions. Beyond established set hesitation markers, aspects fulfill criteria outlined above included analysis. proportion various markers determined. Both approaches suggest that these distinguished at level far chance using data. At same time, results show it difficult pin down single measure characterizes speaker. implications findings discussed.