Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
06:24
Author Spotlight: Advancements in the Fabrication of Synthetic Vocal Fold Models for Phonetic and Robotic Applications
Published on: January 5, 2024
1.3K
Learning and adaptation in speech production without a vocal tract
Megan M C Thompson1,2,3, John F Houde4, Srikantan S Nagarajan5,6,7
1Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Scientific Reports
|September 21, 2019
Summary
This study shows that people can learn to produce specific vowel sounds using a touchscreen synthesizer. This learning of speech motor control is adaptable and not dependent on the vocal tract.
Area of Science:
- Speech production
- Sensorimotor learning
- Auditory feedback
Background:
- Speaking is a complex audiomotor skill.
- The role of the vocal tract in speech learning is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the learning of speech production independent of the vocal tract.
- To examine the adaptability of sensorimotor maps for speech sound production.
Main Methods:
- Developed a touchscreen-based speech synthesizer.
- Trained participants to reproduce vowel targets using auditory feedback without visual feedback.
- Assessed learning through accuracy, consistency, and generalization to novel targets.
Main Results:
- Participants rapidly improved accuracy and consistency in producing trained vowel targets.
- Learning generalized to novel vowel targets.
- Sensorimotor adaptation occurred in response to altered sound-location mappings.
Conclusions:
- Individuals can learn adaptable sensorimotor maps for producing desired vowel sounds.
- Speech motor control acquisition can be studied independent of vocal tract constraints.
- Findings offer insights into the fundamental mechanisms of speech acquisition.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Larynx
4.2K
The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
4.2K
01:22Language Development
856
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
856
01:24Components of Language
763
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs.
763
01:13Nonconscious Mimicry
5.1K
Nonconscious mimicry occurs when individuals alter their mannerisms to match the behaviors and expressions of those nearby, without intention.
5.1K
01:29Non-Verbal Cues
295
Non-verbal communication extends beyond gestures and facial expressions to include vocal elements known as paralanguage. Paralanguage consists of non-verbal vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, speech rate, pauses, and non-verbal vocalizations like laughter, sighs, and moans. These elements not only accompany speech but also provide critical emotional and contextual information.The Role of Paralanguage in CommunicationParalanguage adds depth to spoken language by conveying emotions and...
295
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
3.5K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
3.5K