Moscow Laboratory of Experimental Phonetics and Speech Psychology: a legacy of phonetic innovation

This paper explores the historical development and contributions of the Moscow Laboratory of Experimental Phonetics and Speech Psychology, which was one of the pioneering institutions in phonetic research. Established in 1927 by Vladimir A. Artemov, the Laboratory played a pivotal role in advancing experimental phonetics, speech psychology, and prosodic studies (intonology) through instrumental methods, such as cathode-ray oscilloscopes, kymographs, spectrographs, electrodynamic recorders, and radiographs and through interdisciplinary collaboration between phoneticians, psychologists, and engineers. Key figures, including Aleksandr L. Trakhterov, Georgij P. Torsuev, Vyacheslav A. Vasilyev, Antonina M. Antipova, and others, made significant contributions to prosodic phonetics, phonetic rhythmology, and general phonetic theory, while bridging the divide between phonetic theory and applied phonetics (pronunciation teaching). By examining the Laboratory’s stages of development, researchers and their underlying principles, this study makes an attempt to systematise the foundational work done at the Laboratory.