--- Forwarded Message from Michael Bush <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 15:56:08 +0000
>From: Michael Bush <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #5381 words per minute measure?
>In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>Importance: Normal
------------------
I do not have a study, but recent anecdotal experience casts this concern in
an interesting light.
I have always assumed that a person can read a text faster than someone say
the same words out loud. As we have developed the subtitle tracks for
_C'eravamo tanto amati_, however, we have found it difficult to get the
Italian text on the screen such that it can always be read comfortably
during the same time that the words are being said by the actors. This has
made us think that the WPM rating for Italian is perhaps higher than for the
languages in other movies with which we have worked.
I too will be interested in what anyone else might come up with on Ursula's
question.
Cheers,
Michael Bush
Associate Professor of French and
Instructional Psychology and Technology
Brigham Young University
[log in to unmask]
http://moliere.byu.edu/digital/
-----Original Message-----
From: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of LLTI-Editor
Sent: Monday, December 06, 1999 9:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: #5381 words per minute measure?
--- Forwarded Message from Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]> ---
>Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 14:29:53 -0500
>To: [log in to unmask]
>From: Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: words per minute measure?
Hi fellow LLTIers. In my continuing quest to get the Weird Question Award
for 1999, and fully aware that time is running out, I present:
Is there a way to get word-per minute ratings across languages? Obviously
one could use a tape, a transcript, and a stopwatch. But let me explain. I
have a colleague who wants to include in a forthcoming book the idea that
Russian newscasts now proceed at a faster wpm rate than before, and
possibly faster than American ones. There is evidence that Russian
broadcasters actually set this as a goal. When we discussed it, it occurred
to me that wpm may not be an accurate measure, as "a" would count as much
as "Perestroika". Really it might be a question of syntactical units, I
figured. I know this is kinda "fringy" for the usual concerns in this
forum, but is anyone aware of studies that venture into this area?
One thing interesting about this is the psychological effect of a newscast
hurtling along at breakneck speed. I bet it induces a lot of anxiety.
Ursula
PS: Please be assured, that, even though Robert Lavelle informed me this
morning that I would be eating my neighbors in less than a month, I have no
such plans.
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