We present data on velar speech movements examined by electromagnetic
articulography (EMA), a tool for the study of velar kinematics. Based
on investigations on 22 normal German subjects (15 male, 7 female), mo
vement paths of the velum using a sensor positioned on the midsagittal
anterior surface were recorded using a series of high and low vowel V
CV utterances, Maximum velar elevation (mean = 13.5 +/- 0.6 mm [SD]) w
ith the rest position as a reference was observed during the productio
n /iti/. The average maximum articulatory velocity of velar movements
during /iti/ production was 141.0 mm/sec, Maximum movement of the velu
m observed during production of /ana/ averaged 7.5 +/- 1.1 mm, The dir
ection of velar movement ranged between 44.6 degrees and 50.4 degrees
relative to the bite plane registered electromagnetically, The influen
ce of loudness variation of sequence production is demonstrated and di
scussed with the literature.