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The Initial Functional Unit When Naming Words and Pseudowords in Thai: Evidence from Masked Priming
Heather Winskel1, Theeraporn Ratitamkul2
1Psychology, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour Campus, Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia. heather.winskel@scu.edu.au.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|January 30, 2020
Summary
This study found that the initial consonant sound (onset) is the first unit activated when reading Thai words. This applies to both real words and made-up words, regardless of vowel position in writing.
Area of Science:
- Psycholinguistics
- Phonology
- Orthography
Background:
- The initial processing unit for word recognition varies across languages.
- Thai presents a unique case with both syllabic and phonemic features, influencing orthographic-phonological mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the initial functional unit activated during the visual naming of monosyllabic Thai words and pseudowords.
- To determine if the onset or a larger unit is prioritized in early orthographic-phonological activation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the masked priming paradigm with monosyllabic Thai words and pseudowords.
- Measured response times to assess facilitation effects of onset primes and identity primes (onset + vowel).
- Examined effects of orthographic vowel position in Thai writing.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in response times between onset and identity primes for real words.
- Similar results for pseudowords, with identity primes not showing greater facilitation than onset primes.
- No significant orthographic effects were observed due to vowel position.
Conclusions:
- The onset (initial consonant) is the primary functional unit activated when processing Thai visual words and pseudowords.
- Findings support a model where phonological encoding begins with the initial consonant sound.
- Orthographic vowel position does not influence the initial activation unit in Thai word naming.
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