Henry M. Moser

One‐Syllable Words

A systematic listing of the monosyllabic words in American English is made according to sound. An empirical approach is followed in which sounds are produced alone or in combinations. If the auditory signal is recognized as a word, it is listed in conventional spelling. A number of words not included in dictionaries are identified by this method. While the list was prepared to supply additional single syllable words to supplement those already used in radiotelephone communication, it can be utilized in language studies to show the frequency of occurrence of vowels, consonants, and consonant combinations at the beginning and endings of words. Frequency of occurrence of the speech sounds in various combinations are presented in tabular form. [Done in connection with contract AF 19(604)‐1577, Operational Applications Laboratory, AFCRC.]

Comparison of Hyponasality, Hypernasality, and Normal Voice Quality on the Intelligibility of Two‐Digit Numbers

Six Eastern and General American speakers, using hyponasal, hypernasal, and normal voice qualities recorded random lists of two‐digit numbers for presentation in noise to 11 trained listeners, all of whom had 32 hours practice in listening and testing in noise. Results indicate that, while voice qualities acted in a relatively similar manner at both signal‐to‐noise ratios tested, hypernasality was destructive to intelligibility under both conditions, hyponasality was destructive at the milder noise level, and normal delivery was best throughout.

Phonemic Confusion Vectors

Test responses of listeners from 27 countries who were tested over a period of a year and a half on several versions of word spelling alphabets are examined to determine patterns of intraensemble confusion. On the word level, confusion seems to hinge on the accented vowel, and these confusions are stratified according to the articulatory position of the vowel. Greater discrimination for front vowels than for back is noted, as well as diminishing intraensemble confusion from high‐to‐low‐articulatory position. A method for computing confusion vectors is presented along with a rationale for increasing the phonemic stability of any particular set of words.

Alternate Transmission Channel for Use in High‐Level Noise

The underlying purpose of this research was to make a survey of the hand signals currently employed by personnel who work in high level noise around military, commercial, and industrial flight lines, and to test these signals for intelligibility at a school for the deaf with a panel of young deaf adults. Also considered was the possible use of the manual alphabet in spelling critical words. Light, distance, angle of presentation and background were some of the variables considered in this intelligibility study. These are somewhat analogous to those encountered in intelligibility study of oral language. Signals employed by personnel to communicate similar messages, vary considerably from one installation to another. Investigation was made of the effects of distance, manner of sending or coding of the message and receiver variability. [This research was carried out in connection with Contract AF 19(604)‐1577, monitored by Operational Applications Laboratory, Air Research and Development Command, Bolling Air...

Research on Word‐Spelling Alphabets for Military and Civil Use

Results of continuous and extended testing with trained and naive listeners on several word‐spelling alphabets are presented. Methods for analysis of internal structure of limited word sets are applied to arrive at an optimum alphabet for international aviation use. The effects of listener pre‐ and post‐training attitudes are evaluated for effects on intelligibility scores. Effects of confidence and user inhibition for better and poorer alphabets are shown. The above work was carried out under contract with Operational Applications Laboratory, Washington, D. C.