Only partly about English, but a great little study which tries to figure out why we tend to perceive foreign languages as sounding 'fast'. (It's about syllable speed vs information density.)
Slow Down! Why Some Languages Sound So Fast
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2091477,00.html
Slow Down! Why Some Languages Sound So Fast
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2091477,00.html
