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Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA) is particularly well-suited for capturing continuous speech articulation activity because it operates using non-invasive sensors tracked in real-time, allowing for the monitoring of a speaker’s articulators—such as the tongue and lips—without interrupting the natural flow of speech. Unlike other modalities, EMA does not require any exposure to harmful radiation or intrusive devices that might disrupt a speaker's natural actions.
This technology uses a series of magnetic fields and sensors to accurately track the movements of instruments placed on the articulators as the participant speaks. As a result, it allows researchers to gather detailed temporal and spatial data regarding articulation during typical conversational speech, making it highly effective for speech science research.
In contrast, methods like intramuscular EMG involve inserting electrodes into the muscle tissue, which can be uncomfortable and may alter how speech is produced. Techniques like X-ray microbeam, while effective in providing detailed articulatory data, expose subjects to radiation and are less practical for casual speech research. Surface EMG, while non-invasive, predominantly measures electrical activity of muscles and does not provide direct metrics of spatial movement of articulators, thus limiting its usefulness in comprehensive assessment of articulation during speech.