Segment classification in continuous speech

A primary-recognition computer program has been written to provide segmentation, acoustical parameters, and phonetic features of continuous speech, together with classification of some vowel and consonantal segments. Based on fundamental frequency, level, and duration information provided by the primary recognition program from short-term spectra, a procedure to mark stressed and reduced vowels is proposed. Listener judgments of stress and vowel reduction can be correlated with the physical parameters, but talker differences are apparent. It is clear that feature extraction at the segment level and at the suprasegmental level are mutually interactive.