This doctoral dissertation explores the pivotal role of speech perception in evaluating the credibility of testimony. To test the null hypothesis, which posits that speech perception does not influence testimonial credibility assessment, this thesis is divided into two distinct sections, each concluding with its respective findings. The first section is dedicated to a theoretical exploration of speech and its profound impact on the perception of testimony credibility, especially within the intricate realms of language and the legal system. It unfolds across five substantive subsections. The opening segment delves into the realm of rhetoric and courtroom oratory, highlighting the indispensable role of speech as a cornerstone of persuasive communication, both in the broader context of rhetoric and the specialized linguistic nuances of courtroom discourse. The second segment adopts a sociolinguistic lens, analysing language varieties in their societal context. This section delves into language codification, the intricacies of legal language, written aspects of speech, and the significance of dialects while considering the contextual factors that shape speech interactions within society. The third part expounds upon the concept of law as a language of societal order and how the regularities of legal language govern decision-making and its associated dynamics. It explores the intricate relationship between legal language and the fabric of societal structures. The fourth segment explores diverse dimensions associated with the assessment of testimonial credibility in communicative interactions. It examines both objective and subjective factors that inform judgments of credibility. From a criminological perspective, the final part of this section illuminates legal interactions and the influence of language on stigmatization and labeling, emphasising the symbolic power of decision-makers in judicial proceedings. Transitioning to the second section of the dissertation, the author introduces the underlying methodology of the empirical research and, building upon the established theoretical foundation, delineates the designed experiment to test the validity of the null hypothesis. This empirical approach involves various tasks, including evaluating speech stimuli recorded explicitly for this study and categorizing dialect and speech groups by gender with the intent to comprehensively study the multifaceted factors that impact testimonial credibility assessment. The findings are subsequently presented through statistical analyses of the data gathered from participants' task results. In an innovative twist, both the interim and final conclusions provide the rationale for asserting that speech perception influences testimony credibility. Beyond its contribution to academic research, this thesis also explores the broader societal implications of its findings and their potential applicability within the realm of the judicial system.
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