Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
2
Linguistics department, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
3
Assistant professor, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Charismatic speech is an acquirable skill that enables speakers to influence their audience to accept their ideas and viewpoints. Such speech has particular acoustic characteristics, which may vary depending on language, culture, and context. The aim of the present study is to examine the acuostic features of charismatic Persian speech in an academic context. To this end, audio samples from 20 university professors were evaluated by 53 listeners through an online questionnaire. Additionally, the acoustic features of the audio samples, including the mean, standard deviation, and Pitch Variability Index; mean, standard deviation, and Intensity Variability Index; the number and duration of silences; the number and duration of filled pauses; and speech rate, were analyzed using Praat software. Subsequently, the statistical correlation between the acoustic characteristics and the questionnaire results was assessed. Moreover, the impact of gender on the listeners' judgments was also examined. The results indicated that having a moderate yet variable pitch, a normal speech rate with variation throughout the speech, and the use of filled pauses and short, infrequent silences could positively influence the listeners' perception of the speaker's charisma. Additionally, male and female listeners exhibited similar behavior in evaluating speakers of the same or opposite gender. The speakers evalated to be the most charismatic by the listeners were female.
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