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Judgments are made of the speaker's ability to appropriately time the rate of syllable and word production during oral reading. Again the five-point scale is used to evaluate the rate of production.

Rating Comments Sample
Level 1Cannot control rate of syllable articulation. This sample demonstrates a very slow rate of syllable articulation. The speaker is unable to coordinate respiration and phonation for sustained tone generation. During phonatory efforts wild fluctuations in pitch occur. These laryngeal gymnastics are associated with almost a complete absence of identifiable consonants. In combination, these characteristics indicate that the first step in speech training should be directed toward the development of a controlled respiratory pattern which can generate and support a relaxed laryngeal or glottal tone. If the power supply and generator can be brought under control the aerodynamics within the vocal track provide a favorable circumstance to facilitate the learning and mastering of phoneme production. (Male)
Level 2Much above or below optimal rate for efficient communication. Rate definitely interferes with communication. This sample demonstrates a rate which is much too slow. The temporal pattern may be described as single syllable labored utterances. Very few syllables or words are produced on a single exhalation. Short inhalations are frequently made between words. This feature, in addition to over aspiration on initial vowels and some consonants, would indicate a rating of one for air expenditure during speech, and a breathy voice quality designated as severe. In general, a low rating for rate of syllable articulation is associated with a correspondingly low rating for respiration during speech. (Male)
Level 3Moderately above or below optimal rate for efficient communication. The rate of utterance in this sample is moderately below optimum averaging about one word per second. The choppy pattern and slow rate shows very little blending of words into functional units. The over aspiration on initial vowels and some consonants. Creates an inefficient usage of air which in turn creates a need for more breaks in timing for inhalation. These factors contribute to the general distortion of respiratory and temporal features of the speech pattern. (Male)
Level 4Slightly above or below optimal rate but monitored well for clarity. This sample demonstrates a rate slightly below optimum with associated characteristics of mild harshness, nasality and some articulatory defects. (Female)
Level 5Within normal limits. (Male)