Pre-Literate Auditory Experiences: Phoneme Rates

DB: what is the rate of phonemes per second in the spoken English used by adults

ChatGPT said:

The rate of phonemes per second in spoken English used by adults can vary widely depending on factors such as speaking rate, accent, and individual speech patterns. On average, adult speakers of English typically produce speech at a rate of about 120 to 150 words per minute.

In terms of phonemes, English has approximately 40 distinct phonemes, but the number can vary somewhat depending on the specific dialect or accent. If we assume an average of 40 phonemes and a speech rate of 120 to 150 words per minute, you can estimate the rate of phonemes per second to be roughly between 2 and 2.5 phonemes per second (40 phonemes / 120 words per minute = 1/3 phonemes per second to 40 phonemes / 150 words per minute = 2/5 phonemes per second).

However, it’s important to note that this is a rough estimate, and actual speech rates can vary significantly. Some people may speak faster or slower than this range, and the number of phonemes per second can be influenced by factors such as speech clarity, context, and individual speaking style. Additionally, different dialects and accents of English may have different phonemic patterns and speech rates.

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