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

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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.