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The production and perception of syllable structure
1Program in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton.
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Linear changes in speech articulation, specifically relative phase of glottal and oral movements, can be perceived as distinct changes in syllable structure. This demonstrates discontinuous perception from continuous articulatory input.
Area of Science:
- Speech Science
- Phonetics
- Auditory Perception
Background:
- Previous research explored nonlinear relationships in speech perception and articulation-acoustics.
- Stevens's (1972) quantal theory describes articulation-acoustics relationships.
- Categorical perception is a known nonlinear perceptual phenomenon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if linear changes in articulation can lead to discontinuous perception.
- To examine the perception of syllable juncture location based on articulatory phase.
- To demonstrate that continuous articulatory changes can be perceived categorically.
Main Methods:
- Experimentally manipulated linear changes in the relative phase of glottal and oral movements during speech production.
- Assessed perceptual judgments of syllable juncture location.
- Analyzed the relationship between acoustic phase and perceived syllabic organization.
Main Results:
- Linear changes in the relative phase of articulation were perceived as discontinuous shifts in syllable juncture location.
- Phase transitions in articulatory movements correlated with categorical changes in perception.
- Demonstrated a linear-to-categorical perception mapping in speech.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring linear changes in articulation can be perceived discontinuously.
- Phase transitions in speech articulation signal changes in syllabic organization.
- This finding challenges assumptions about solely nonlinear perception in speech.