Analysis of Speech/Action-Based Communication: In Terms of Mutual Adaptation and Prosodic Effects

摘要

How can a pet learn the meaning of its caretaker's speech? In this paper, we assume that both mutual adaptation, in which interactants learn to respond appropriately to one another's behavior, and the prosodic elements in the sound of speech play a significant role in establishing this kind of communication. We prepared a game to study the effects of mutual adaptation and of prosodic elements in speech/action-based communication. The results showed the following three matters: (1) the smoothly communicating pairs showed mutual adaptation; (2) pitch information in the sound of speech had an important role of drawing the partner's attention to her/his actions; and (3) the meaning of pitch information was interpreted peculiarly in each situation.