The Use of Paralinguistics in Spontaneous Speech of Children with Williams Syndrome and Typically Developing Children

Location

CSU North Ballroom

Start Date

24-4-2006 10:30 AM

End Date

24-4-2006 12:30 PM

Student's Major

Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services

Student's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Mentor's Name

Patricia Hargrove

Mentor's Department

Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services

Mentor's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Description

This project investigated selected aspects of paralinguistics in spontaneous speech of speakers with Williams syndrome. Speakers with Williams syndrome "are noted for their well developed vocabulary, relatively complex and syntactically correct sentences, and their ability to spin a good tale. In contrast, their reasoning usually remains at a pre-operational or preschool level, and they typically have difficulty grasping cause-effect relations" (Semel & Rosner, 2003, p. 5).

This research focused on an area of communication called paralinguistics which involved the use of nonspeech sounds for communication. Specifically, we looked at the frequency of laughing and sound effects produced during conversation. Ten participants, five with Williams syndrome and five typically developing peers, individually talked with a graduate clinician on a topic of their interest. The conversations were analyzed for the frequency of laughing and sound effects and the proportion of laughing and sound effects (e.g., # of occurrences of laughter/# of sentences).

The results will be discussed in light of the commonly held impression that speakers with Williams syndrome are involved, engaged, and charming.

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Apr 24th, 10:30 AM Apr 24th, 12:30 PM

The Use of Paralinguistics in Spontaneous Speech of Children with Williams Syndrome and Typically Developing Children

CSU North Ballroom

This project investigated selected aspects of paralinguistics in spontaneous speech of speakers with Williams syndrome. Speakers with Williams syndrome "are noted for their well developed vocabulary, relatively complex and syntactically correct sentences, and their ability to spin a good tale. In contrast, their reasoning usually remains at a pre-operational or preschool level, and they typically have difficulty grasping cause-effect relations" (Semel & Rosner, 2003, p. 5).

This research focused on an area of communication called paralinguistics which involved the use of nonspeech sounds for communication. Specifically, we looked at the frequency of laughing and sound effects produced during conversation. Ten participants, five with Williams syndrome and five typically developing peers, individually talked with a graduate clinician on a topic of their interest. The conversations were analyzed for the frequency of laughing and sound effects and the proportion of laughing and sound effects (e.g., # of occurrences of laughter/# of sentences).

The results will be discussed in light of the commonly held impression that speakers with Williams syndrome are involved, engaged, and charming.

Recommended Citation

Ritter, Kelly; Evan Panitzke; and Emily Kruse. "The Use of Paralinguistics in Spontaneous Speech of Children with Williams Syndrome and Typically Developing Children." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/poster-session-A/8