Integration of segmental and tonal information in speech perception: a cross-linguistic study.
| Number | 738 |
|---|---|
| Year | 1990 |
| Drawer | 13 |
| Entry Date | 11/15/1999 |
| Authors | Repp, B. H., & Lin, H-B. |
| Contact | |
| Publication | Journal of Phonetics, 18, 481-495. |
| url | http://www.haskins.yale.edu/Reprints/HL0738.pdf |
| Abstract | A speeded classification paradigm was used to examine the hypothesis that segmental & tonal dimensions of speech are more strongly integrated in perception by speakers of a tone language (Mandarin Chinese) than by speakers of a nontone language (English). Four binary classification tasks required attention to either a segmental (consonant [C] or vowel [V]) or tonal dimension of CV syllables; the other dimension was to be ignored. Both S groups showed strong perceptual integrality (ie, interference from orthogonal variation in the unattended dimension). The Chinese Ss (N = 8) showed significantly more integrality than the English Ss (N = 8) in only one of the four tasks. However, it was necessary to take into account that all Ss (especially the English-speaking group) took longer to respond to tonal distinctions than to segmental distinctions. With this adjustment, the results suggest that Chinese & English listeners both show an underlying processing asymmetry between consonants & tones in CV syllables (consonants being more integral with tones than vice versa, as shown in previous research), whereas only Chinese listeners show such an asymmetry between vowels & tones (vowels being more integral with tones than vice versa). This difference may be a reflection of specific language experience. |
| Notes |
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