Simultaneous analysis of lips, jaw and tongue movements with an integrated optical tracking and EPG system

The new system for the simultaneous recording and analysis of the lips, jaw and tongue movements consists of two integrated parts. ELITE makes it possible to analyse movement and velocity of speech articulators such as lips and jaw, as well as phonetically and phonologically relevant parameters, such as labial opening, width, and protrusion. The spatiotemporal evolution of the linguopalatal contacts is analyzed with a RION DP-20 electropalatograph (EPG), using flexible acrylic palates supporting 63 receptive electrodes. The two systems have been integrated via hardware and software and now the obtainable data permit to study the temporal and spatial features of the speech and nonspeech oral movements. The authors exemplify the method through the analysis of the alveolar voiceless plosive /t/ in the italian word /tata/ produced by one stutterer and one nonstutterer.