Validating Acoustic Measures of Speech Rhythm for Second Language Acquisition

This paper reports research investigating the validity of using Pairwise Variability Indexes in research into the second language acquisition of speech rhythm. Findings determined that 1) expert native-speakers rate non-native speaker rhythm based on a common factor, and 2) part of that common factor can be accounted for by the use of vocalic pairwise variability. It was concluded that the PVI measures are indeed a valid measure of second language speech rhythm.