THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHONETIC CATEGORIES

描述：（改编自研究者摘要）拟 继续测试和制定语音学习模型 在过去的两个时间段内。 目的是为了更好地了解 语音范畴的结构和内容，它们如何以及何时被 在什么情况下，他们可以修改时， 第二语言（L2）学习。 20个实验检查 英语的生产和感知已经计划。 很多人会比较 母语者对成人非母语者分为三组：早期L2 儿童时期学习英语的学习者;不熟练L2 成年后学习英语并带有浓重口音的学习者; 和熟练的L2学习者，即使英语发音良好， 他们也是在成年后学会的。 除了横断面研究， 英语元音和辅音，一项纵向研究， 将进行英语元音的产生和感知。 广泛 研究中发现，在第二语言学习较晚的学生中， 过去的授予时期，以产生和感知特定的L2声音。 这 导致纳入旨在确定因素的实验 这有助于L2学习者的L2发音。 另一系列的实验将试图确定的基础， 感知外国口音程度的变化（FAO）。 最后是 希望继续开发改进的语言训练方法。 旨在提高二语学习后期学习者语言能力的例证性训练实验 感知--也许间接地产生--英语元音， 辅音出现。 拟议的研究将导致更好的 了解语音系统是如何组织的，并提供洞察力 它们通过各种过程和机制在 寿命

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from investigator's abstract) It is proposed to continue testing and elaborating a model of speech learning developed during the last two grant periods. The goal is to better understand the structure and content of phonetic categories, how and when they are established, and under what circumstances they may be modified when a second language (L2) is learned. Twenty experiments examining the production and perception of English have been planned. Many will compare native speakers to adult non-native speakers in three groups: Early L2 Learners who learned English as young children; nonproficient Late L2 Learners who learned English as adults and speak it with a strong accent; and proficient Late L2 Learners who pronounce English well even though they, too, learned it in adulthood. In addition to cross-sectional studies of English vowels and consonants, a longitudinal study examining the production and perception of English vowels will be undertaken. A wide range of differences has been noted among the Late L2 Learners examined in past grant periods to produce and perceive particular L2 sounds. This has led to the inclusion of experiments that aim to identify factors contributing to exceptionally good l2 pronunciation by Late L2 Learners. Another series of experiments will attempt to identify the basis for variations in degree of perceived foreign accent (FAO). Finally, it is hoped to continue developing improved methods for speech training. Illustrative training experiments designed to improve Late L2 Learners' perception -- and perhaps indirectly production -- of English vowels and consonants are presented. The proposed research will lead to a better understanding of how phonetic systems are organized, and provide insight into the processes and mechanisms through which they develop over the lifespan.