Kinematics of head movements accompanying speech during conversation

Head movement during conversation is closely related to the suprasegmental features of concurrent speech. Study of this relationship builds heavily on speed-related parameters of movement, the kinematic description of which is made here. In 4 subjects, movement of the head monitored by polarised-light goniometer was continuously recorded, together with the associated speech and a signal proportional to the peak loudness of speech. Results revealed a division of head movements into five kinematic classes: recognition of these may be helpful in understanding the role of head movements during speech.