The syllable as a processing unit in speech production: Evidence from frequency effects on coarticulation

该项目研究语音中音节产生模型的预测，假设发音过程的发生频率和编码之间的相互作用。音节类型出现频率的差异预计会导致不同程度的协同发音。我们预测高频音节的协同发音程度比稀有音节更强。该项目将测试从几个拟议的生产模型，如心理音节概念和双通道假说的预测。调查将在一系列生产和随后的感知实验中进行。将根据已建立的声学相关的语音和统计分析评估协同发音强度。实验结果也将从范例理论的角度进行解释。一个重要的方法目标是开发一种可靠的程序来估计口语中的音节频率。该项目旨在为语音音节在语音产生中的功能和概念相关性提供实验证据。

The project investigates predictions of models of syllable production in speech that assume an interaction between frequency of occurrence and encoding of articulatory processes. Differences in frequencies of occurrence of syllable types are expected to result in different degrees of coarticulation. We predict a stronger degree of coarticulation in high-frequency syllables than in rare syllables. The project will test predictions derived from several proposed production models, such as the mental syllabary concept and the dual-pathway hypothesis. The investigation will be carried out in a series of production and subsequent perception experiments. Coarticulatory strength will be assessed based on the phonetic and statistical analysis of well-established acoustic correlates. Experimental results will also be interpreted from an exemplar-theoretic perspective. An important methodological objective is to develop a reliable procedure for estimating syllable frequencies in spoken language. The project aims to contribute experimental evidence towards a consistent view of the function and conceptual relevance of a phonetic syllabary in speech production.