What does VOT stand for in speech science?

Voice Onset Time (VOT) is a crucial concept in speech science, specifically in the study of phonetics and phonology. It refers to the length of time that passes between the release of a stop consonant and the onset of voicing, which is when the vocal folds begin to vibrate. This measurement is particularly significant in distinguishing between voiced and voiceless stops in languages; for instance, in English, the difference in VOT helps differentiate the sounds /b/ (voiced) and /p/ (voiceless).

Understanding VOT is essential for analyzing speech production and perception, as it affects how listeners categorize phonetic sounds. Additionally, it is used in studies investigating various speech disorders, where abnormal VOT measurements can indicate issues with speech timing or control.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately represent the concept in question. Voice Over Time, Variation of Time, and Vocal Output Timing do not align with the accepted terminology used in speech science, which is why they do not correctly describe the important parameter that VOT signifies.