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

到目前为止，语段表征和超段表征之间在语言加工中的相互作用及其神经关联的研究还很少，经验性的研究仍然很少。关于单词重音的分配，可以区分不同的方法：一些研究人员认为，重音默认分配到它的“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。另一种方法是根据音节的结构特征来分配重音。一个相关的问题仍然存在争议，它涉及重音的分配方向：向左还是向右？这一系列的研究旨在揭示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：分段和超分段语言加工的神经关联是什么？分段和超分段信息的处理可以分离到什么程度，它们相互作用到什么程度？音节结构对德语重音的计算有影响吗？如果有，是如何影响的？哪个是重音分配的方向？将使用反映语言处理未受损的行为和神经成像数据。此外，还将分析发展性和获得性语言障碍的模式，以得出有关正常加工的结论。

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.