Exploring the interplay of segmental and suprasegmental information: Representation and processing of word stress

到目前为止，在语言加工过程中，音段表征和超音段表征之间的相互作用以及它们的神经相关因素还很不明确，实证研究也很少见。关于单词重音的分配，可以区分出不同的方法：一些研究者认为重音被默认分配到它的“常规”位置，只有非默认位置的重音才必须存储在心理词典中。根据其他方法，重音是根据音节的结构特征来分配的。一个相关的问题，这仍然是有争议的讨论，涉及的方向，强调是分配：向左或向右？这一系列的研究旨在揭示词重音在线加工过程中不同表征层次的整合。我们的主要问题是：什么是分段和超分段语言处理的神经相关？分段和超分段信息的加工在多大程度上可以分开，它们在多大程度上相互作用？音节结构是否影响德语中重音的计算？如果是，如何影响？压力分配的方向是什么？将使用反映未受损语言处理的行为和神经影像学数据。此外，将分析发展和后天语言障碍的模式，以得出有关正常处理的结论。

So far, the interplay between segmental and suprasegmental representations in language processing as well as its neural correlates are grossly underspecified and empirical investigations are still rare. With respect to word stress assignment, different approaches can be distinguished: Some researchers suggest that stress is assigned by default to its ‘regular’ position and only stress at nondefault positions would have to be stored in the mental lexicon. According to other approaches stress is assigned on the basis of structural features of the syllable. A related question, which is still controversially discussed, concerns the direction in which stress is assigned: leftwards or rightwards? The proposed series of investigations aims to shed light on the integration of different tiers of representation during the on-line processing of word stress. Our main questions are: What are the neural correlates of segmental and suprasegmental language processing? To what extend can the processing of segmental and suprasegmental information be separated, to what extend do they interact? Does syllable structure influence the computation of stress in German and if so: how? Which is the direction of stress assignment? Behavioural and neuroimaging data reflecting unimpaired language processing will be used. In addition, patterns of developmental and acquired language disorders will be analysed to draw conclusions about normal processing.