An Investigation of Chinese Speech Under Alcohol Influence: Database Construction and Phonetic Analysis

Alcohol affects the central nervous system and muscular function. The sensory-motor impairment may lead to changes in speech production that require precise motor control and coordination. This study aims to collect and compare Chinese speech data in sober and intoxicated conditions, for a specialized database of Chinese alcohol language. Our primary objective is to capture the changes to speech production, encompassing prosodic correlates and grammatical attributes, influenced by alcohol consumption. We have assembled a database of spontaneous speech extracted from documentaries and reality shows, offering authentic samples from natural environments where alcohol consumption is confirmed. These unscripted recordings contrast with the controlled settings of laboratory studies that often rely on rehearsed or simulated speech. This paper presents an initial examination of the phonetic realization of speech under the influence of alcohol in the Chinese language. Our findings reveal modifications in acoustic parameters, notably elevated long-term average speech spectrum within the frequency range of 1–5 kHz, and fluctuations in speech rates and fundamental frequency. These findings underscore the viability of using phonetic variations as a means to detect intoxicated speech in Chinese. This research sheds light on the potential diagnostic value of phonetic patterns for detecting intoxication through speech analysis.