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We present an experiment relating memory span for words and non-words of differing spoken lengths to speech rate. Linear functions related memory span to speech rate for both words and non-words. Recall of non-words, however, is substantially worse than for words and this difference is not attributable to differences in speech rate. Familiarizing subjects with the pronunciations of the non-words increased memory span for them and these improvements in recall were also, at least partially, independent of changes in speech rate. The results are interpreted as evidence for a separable influence of long-term memory on immediate memory span performance., The present experiment is concerned with the mechanisms underlying immediate memory span. There is a great deal of evidence showing a close relationship between memory span and the rate at [...]