Abstract:
A number of formal models of non-native speech perception make predictions
regarding ease of discrimination based on the phonetic similarity of non-native phonemes
to phonemes from the learner’s native phonology (Best, McRoberts, & Goodell, 2001; J.
Flege, 1995; Kuhl, et al., 2008). Recently, individual differences in non-native sound
learning have been examined from a dynamical perspective, focusing on initial perceptual
abilities of individuals, and how the structure of these perceptions influences learning
(Tuller, Jantzen, & Jirsa, 2008).
Here, monolingual speakers of American English were trained in the perception of
the Spanish tap and trill rhotics to examine if different types of native/non-native speech
contrasts exhibit different structure of initial perception and learning dynamics. In
addition, production of the target phonemes by the learners was recorded analyzed to
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determine the effects of perceptual training on production and examine the relation
between initial perceptual structure and production learning dynamics.
Results showed that initial perceptual structure for the rhotics was predictive of
learning dynamics, though the types and distribution of initial patterns were different
from those seen in prior work with different phoneme contrasts. Production
improvement was seen in a number of participants, corresponding to changes in
perceptual constraints over the course of training. However, articulatory (motor)
constraints mitigated considerably the relation between perceptual ability and production
ability.
These results are consistent with current models of non-native speech perception,
and provide further evidence of non-linear perceptual learning processes. Production
results suggest variable interaction between perceptual and articulatory constraints on
speech production learning.
