Abstract
We propose that in repairing segmental speech errors “repairs” stem from word forms that during speech preparation and self-monitoring compete with the word form selected for being spoken. Activation of these potential repairs decreases during the time lag (500 ms) between detection in internal and in overt speech. Recently, it was demonstrated that repaired speech errors can be classified as detected in internal or in overt speech. A re-analysis of data obtained in two experiments eliciting speech errors and their repairs, shows that: (1) Error-to-interruption times are shorter after single elicited errors than after non-elicited and multiple (together "other") errors. (2) Single elicited errors are relatively more often detected in internal speech than "other" errors. (3) The correct word form is the most frequent form used as repair, but less frequently after detection in overt speech than after detection in internal speech. (4) Interruption-to-repair times are shorter for single elicited than for other errors, but less so after detection in overt speech. These findings support the new theory of repairing.