Danielle Daidone [dæn.ˈjɛl  deɪ.ˈdoʊn​]

PhD Candidate in Second Language Studies and Hispanic Linguistics, Indiana University

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Cutting sound files

Once you have the sound file containing all of your stimuli, you'll need to segment it into smaller, individual files for each stimulus.  You can do this using the free acoustic analysis software Praat, available at praat.org.

Once you open Praat, you'll see that both a "Praat Objects" window and a "Praat Picture" window appear at start up.  You won't be using the Praat picture window, so you can close that.

Before we begin cutting a sound file, let's just see what sounds look like in Praat.  In the top menu, go to "Open" --> "Read from file" and choose your sound file.  It should now appear highlighted in the Objects window.  Click on "View & Edit" on the right-hand menu to see your sound file.

Tips for recording stimuli

The recording list:
  • Make sure it's easy to read for the speakers (i.e. the font is 12pt or bigger).  I like to use 3 double-spaced columns per page.  You could also number the words.  
  • If the list is long (more than 2 pages), number the pages to avoid confusion and add titles for each part of the list (stimuli for AX, stimuli for lexical decision).  If they read the titles, this could help you later when cutting the sound files.
  • Oftentimes the last word of a list is said with different intonation (a final fall); repeat this word earlier in the list or at least have it be a filler.
  • Print the recording list one sided, or make sure they don't turn the page while speaking, since this will be audible.

ABOUT ME

My research focuses on second language phonology, with a particular emphasis on perception and lexical representations. I also work on input in the foreign language classroom, as well as variation in L1 and L2 Spanish.  When I'm not analyzing speech, you can find me dancing salsa (preferably on 2!) or escaping reality with a good book.
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CONTACT ME
ddaidone AT indiana DOT edu