Methods of Controlling the Word Rate of Recorded Speech

Six methods for increasing speech rate are presented. They are as follows. 1. Speech at a rate that is faster than normal may be obtained by pacing an oral reader at a rate that is faster than his normal reading rate. 2. The word rate of recorded speech may be increased by reproducing a tape or record at a speed that is faster than the speed used during recording. 3. The word rate of recorded speech may be increased by an electromechanical device that reproduces consecutive samples of a recorded tape. 4. Consecutive sampling may also be accomplished by a computer. 5. The word rate of synthesized speech may be manipulated by instructions in the program followed by a speech synthesizer. 6. The harmonic compressor increases word rate by a method of frequency division without temporal alteration, and frequency restoration with temporal alteration.