Speech recognition produces test signals from the speech signal which are compared with predetermined reference signals so as to form scores. Each subsequent test signal is compared with reference values which are situated within a predetermined neighborhood of the reference value which has been determined to be optimum for the preceding test signal. In dependence on this neighborhood, transition values in conformity with the transition probabilities are added to the scores. In order to enhance the results notably in the case of different speeds of speaking of the instantaneous speaker, it is proposed to adapt these transition values in dependence on the speed of speaking. A further improvement can be achieved by also adapting the reference values themselves to the relevant speaker's pronunciation. This adaptation can also be iteratively performed in a number of steps.