Holds as gestural correlates to empty and filled speech pauses

Holds are defined as an active configured gestural state where no intended (hand) motion is perceived. We analyzed the audio and video from a cartoon story telling from memory, in order to determine the extent to which gestural holds overlap with speech phenomena such as empty and filled pauses. Data from two female participants are analyzed: an Italian and an American English-speaker, each using her own native language. The results show a general trend where, in both the languages, holds and speech pauses appear to be correlated. These overlap 28% of the time in the Italian and 45% of the time in the English. There are, however, significant differences between the two speakers in the percentage of empty pauses, filled pauses and holds. The Italian subject uses significantly more gestures, more filled pauses, and fewer empty pauses than the American subject.

Holds as gestural correlates to empty and filled speech pauses Conference Paper