articulatory kinematics

A branch of ARTICULATORY PHONETICS which studies the readily observable properties of the movements involved in ARTICULATION, without consideration of the underlying forces. The relevant parameters would include the distance, duration, acceleration, and smoothness of an articulatory movement, or the direction of an articulator’s displacement, the location of its end-point, and the force of its contact. Several instruments are available to plot such movements, such as the ARTICULOMETER, ultrasound, and cineradiography. The subject is especially relevant in relation to studies of speech RATE and clarity.