Segmental and suprasegmental features in speech perception in Cantonese-speaking second graders: an ERP study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Linguistics

Background:

• Early speech sound perception is crucial for language acquisition.
• Understanding how children process native language sounds informs educational strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate second graders' automatic detection of speech sound changes in Cantonese.
• To examine neural responses to segmental (consonant) and suprasegmental (lexical tone) variations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a multiple-deviant oddball paradigm to measure auditory mismatch responses (MMRs).
• Assessed brain responses to changes in voice onset time (VOT) and Cantonese lexical tones (level, contour).

Main Results:

• Second graders exhibited robust mismatch negativities (MMNs) to all deviant speech sounds.
• Voice onset time (VOT) deviants elicited a positive mismatch response (150-300ms).
• Level tone deviants elicited a significant MMN (150-300ms).

Conclusions:

• Hong Kong second graders demonstrate neural sensitivity to both segmental and suprasegmental aspects of Cantonese speech.
• Children automatically detect phonetic and tonal variations in their native language.