Interviews with Bernd Möbius and Zdena Palková on life in phonetics

Abstract

The article features two in-depth interviews with long-time phoneticians, Bernd Möbius and Zdena Palková, who reflect on their careers and the changes they have witnessed in the field. Although their professional paths differ widely - from speech technology to speech on the stage, among others - both scholars share a strong connection to the core methods and questions of phonetics. The interviews touch on the development of the phonetic sciences over several decades, discussing shifts in research focus, academic culture, and international collaboration. By taking an open-ended, conversational approach, the interviews reveal not only the interviewees' scientific insights but also personal experiences, motivations, and views on the future of the discipline. The article highlights the value of interviews as a complementary format for documenting the history and diversity of phonetic research.