A Self-Instructional Device for Conditioning Accurate Prosody.

A self-instructional device for conditioning accurate prosody in second-language learning is described in this article. The Speech Auto-Instructional Device (SAID) is electro-mechanical and performs three functions: SAID (1) presents to the student tape-recorded pattern sentences that are considered standards in prosodic performance; (2) processes the student's imitation and instantaneously evaluates its acceptability on the basis of pitch, loudness, and tempo; and (3) displays the degree to which the imitation is unacceptable and demonstrates how modifications are to be made for correction. Discussion of the rationale for the SAID system includes comments on other approaches to prosody instruction. Detailed information on SAID's functional operation is provided. (RL)