Time shrinking denotes the psycho-acoustic phenomenon that an acoustic event is perceived as shorter if it follows an even shorter acoustic event.

Previous work has shown that time shrinking can be traced in speech-like phrases and may lead to the impression of a higher speech rate and syllable isochrony.

This paper provides experimental evidence that time shrinking is effective on foot level as well as phrase level. Some examples from natural speech are given, where time shrinking effects may be deliberately employed in poetry and rap music.

Keywords: speech rate, isochrony, perception, timing, rhythm