Introduction to Phonology
Spring 2004 Problem Set 2, Part 2

Name(s) ____________________________________


The object of this problem set is to determine how many taps per second you can hear. You'll need a partner. The partner will time a period of 20 seconds. When your partner tells you to go, tap on the table with your finger or a pencil eraser. Tap as quickly as you can, counting the taps in your head as you go along. Record the number of taps in the 20-second period. Repeat the trial 10 times, recording the number of taps each time. Throw out the two extreme values, the highest and the lowest; cross them out on the list below as well. Then average the remaining 8 and divide by 20 to get the number of taps/second. If your partner is someone in the class, you can submit one set of results, but identify yourselves.

Trial 1__________
Trial 2__________
Trial 3__________
Trial 4__________
Trial 5__________
Trial 6__________
Trial 7__________
Trial 8__________
Trial 9__________
Trial 10__________
Total of 8 trials__________
Average of 8 trials__________
Divide by 20 =__________ taps/second
Date done__________

Based on P. Lieberman, Eve Spoke (1998), pp. 11–12.


January 22, 2004