scholarly journals Perception of Allophonic Cues to English Word Boundaries by Polish Learners: Approximant Devoicing in English

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Rojczyk ◽  
Geoffrey Schwartz ◽  
Anna Balas
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Times ◽  
English Word ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
Chance Level ◽  
Limited Knowledge ◽  
Word Boundaries ◽  
Boundary Location ◽  
Sonorant Voicing

The study investigates the perception of devoicing of English /w, r, j, l/ after /p, t, k/ as a word-boundary cue by Polish listeners. Polish does not devoice sonorants following voiceless stops in word-initial positions. As a result, Polish learners are not made sensitive to sonorant devoicing as a segmentation cue. Higher-proficiency and lower-proficiency Polish learners of English participated in the task in which they recognised phrases such as buy train vs. bite rain or pie plot vs. pipe lot. The analysis of accuracy scores revealed that successful segmentation was only above chance level, indicating that sonorant voicing/devoicing cue was largely unattended to in identifying the boundary location. Moreover, higher proficiency did not lead to more successful segmentation. The analysis of reaction times showed an unclear pattern in which higher-proficiency listeners segmented the test phrases faster but not more accurately than lower-proficiency listeners. Finally, #CS sequences were recognised more accurately than C#S sequences, which was taken to suggest that the listeners may have had some limited knowledge that devoiced sonorants appear only in word-initial positions, but they treated voiced sonorants as equal candidates for word-final and word-initial positions.

Word boundaries in L2 speech: Evidence from Polish learners of English

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
English Word ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
Integrity Constraint ◽  
Word Boundaries ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Cross Language

Acoustic and perceptual studies investgate B2-level Polish learners’ acquisition of second language (L2) English word-boundaries involving word-initial vowels. In production, participants were less likely to produce glottalization of phrase-medial initial vowels in L2 English than in first language (L1) Polish. Perception studies employing word monitoring and word counting tasks found that glottalization of word-initial vowels had a negligible impact on the processing of L2 word boundaries. Taken together, these experiments suggest that B2-level learners are relatively successful in acquiring word-boundary linking processes that are for the most part absent from L1 Polish, and challenge the notion of an L2 ‘Word Integrity’ constraint. The cross-language interactions observed in these experiments are compatible with the claim that the realization of word-initial vowels is governed by a representational parameter, which may be derived in the Onset Prominence framework.

scholarly journals Experience Control Analysis of English Reading Software Based on Wireless Binocular Line-of-Sight Sensing

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Cheng Feng
Keyword(s):  
Blended Learning ◽  
High Precision ◽  
Semantic Segmentation ◽  
Image Sensor ◽  
English Word ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
English Text ◽  
English Reading ◽  
Reading Software ◽  
Word Boundaries

This paper proposes a segmented combined English text measurement method based on two sets of orthogonal linear image sensors and one area image sensor. This method fully combines the advantages of the linear image sensor and the area image sensor in long-distance and short-distance English text measurement and can continuously perform high-precision English text tracking within a large range of viewing distance. Based on this method, a set of segmented English text measurement system is designed and constructed. This paper presents a method for extracting English word boundaries based on semantic segmentation to solve the problem of global positioning and horizontal initialization of English reading text. The semantic segmentation method based on fully convolutional networks (FCN) is analyzed, and the target classification is defined. We used the classic FCN framework and model, fine-tuned with manually annotated data, and achieved good segmentation results. For the definition and extraction of English word boundaries in English text, a piecewise linear model is used to measure the projection confidence of each English word boundary point, and the overall observation of the English word boundary is measured. When the observation confidence is high enough, combined with the English word boundaries marked in the high-precision image, the horizontal positioning is obtained by matching the weights. This paper concludes that English reading software can help learners in English learning to a certain extent, which proves that the English reading software is an effective supplement based on blended learning classrooms. Through the analysis of learners and teaching content, an English teaching model based on English reading software blended learning is designed. Experimental studies have proved that English reading software can help learners learn English, which not only expands their vocabulary but also broadens their horizons.

Effects of first language processes and representations on second language perception: The case of vowel epenthesis by Japanese speakers

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Nomura ◽  
Keiichi Ishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
First Language ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
English Word ◽  
Consonant Cluster ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Vowel Epenthesis ◽  
Japanese Speakers ◽  
Language Perception

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: Japanese speakers are known to perceive “illusory vowels” within consonant clusters illicit in their language. The present study examines how this perceptual vowel epenthesis is affected by first language (L1) processes (restoration of vowels devoiced through Japanese high vowel devoicing), L1 representations (loanword representations in Japanese speakers’ lexicons), and proficiency in English. Design/methodology/approach: The participants judged the presence or absence of a mora (e.g., ム /mu/) in an auditorily presented English word (e.g., homesick). The 40 test items contained a heterosyllabic consonant cluster with four different voicing patterns to examine whether the vowel restoration process is related to vowel epenthesis. Twenty of the test items are frequently used as loanwords in Japanese, meaning that they are stored in the L1 lexicon with a vowel inserted inside the consonant cluster (e.g., /hoomusikku/). The other 20 are low-frequency items that are virtually nonwords for the non-native participants. Data and analysis: The vowel epenthesis rates and reaction times (RTs) were obtained from 14 introductory learners, 15 intermediate learners, and 19 native speakers. Findings/conclusions: The results show the main effects of Voice, Loanword Representation, and Proficiency, as well as the interaction among the three factors. Negative correlations between vowel epenthesis rates and RTs were also observed for the learners. The results indicate differential effects of vowel restoration and loanwords on perceptual epenthesis by learners of different proficiency levels. Originality: The present study was one of the first attempts to test the relation between proficiency and perceptual vowel epenthesis using real English words. Significance/implications: The findings demonstrate the robustness of L1 processes and representations in second language perception while substantiating the existing argument for early vowel epenthesis. They also raise questions regarding the effects of training and the role of native speaker input.

scholarly journals More On the Voicing of English Obstruents: Voicing Retention vs. Voicing Loss

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiktor Gonet ◽  
Radosław Święciński
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
English Word ◽  
The Other ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Word Boundaries

In Gonet (2010), one of the present authors found out that English word-final phonologically voiced obstruents in the voicing-favouring environment exhibit asymmetrical, if not erratic, behaviour in that voicing in plosives is most often retained while in fricatives voicing retention concerns only about 1/3 of the cases, with the other possibilities (partial and complete devoicing) occurring in almost equal proportions. The present study is an attempt at exploring the intricacies of devoicing in English to examine to what extent the general tendency towards obstruent devoicing is overridden by voicing retention triggered by adjacent voiced segments both within words and across word boundaries. This study is based on a relatively large knowledge base obtained from recordings of spontaneous R. P. pronunciation.

scholarly journals When too many vowels impede language processing: An eye-tracking study of Danish-learning children

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Trecca ◽  
Dorthe Bleses ◽  
Anders Højen ◽  
Thomas O. Madsen ◽  
Morten H. Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Speech Processing ◽  
Word Segmentation ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
Early Language ◽  
Acquisition Process ◽  
Word Boundaries

Research has suggested that Danish-learning children lag behind in early language acquisition. The phenomenon has been attributed to the opaque phonetic structure of Danish, which features an unusually large number of non-consonantal sounds (i.e., vowels and semivowels/glides). The large amount of vocalic sounds in speech is thought to provide fewer cues to word segmentation and to make language processing harder, thus hindering the acquisition process. In this study, we explored whether the presence of vocalic sounds at word boundaries impedes real-time speech processing in 24-month-old Danish-learning children, compared to word boundaries that are marked by consonantal sounds. Using eye-tracking, we tested children’s real-time comprehension of known consonant-initial and vowel-initial words, when presented in either a consonant-final carrier phrase or in a vowel-final carrier phrase, thus resulting in the four boundary types C#C, C#V, V#C, and V#V. Our results showed that the presence of vocalic sounds around a word boundary—especially before—impedes processing of Danish child-directed sentences.

scholarly journals ENERGY DETECTOR IMPLEMENTATON IN FPGA FOR ESTIMATION OF WORD BOUNDARIES / ENERGIJOS DETEKTORIAUS, NAUDOJAMO ŽODŽIO RIBOMS NUSTATYTI, ĮGYVENDINIMAS LAUKU PROGRAMUOJAMA LOGINE MATRICA

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Liudas Stašionis ◽  
Tomyslav Sledevič
Keyword(s):  
Word Boundary ◽  
Energy Detector ◽  
Estimation Accuracy ◽  
Signal Noise ◽  
Boundary Estimation ◽  
Word Boundaries

This paper describes implementation of the word boundary estimation module in FPGA. The boundary estimation module is based on energy detector. This module is optimized for implementation in FPGA. It occupies 54 logical elements “Slice” and uses only 0.7% of “Spartan-6 LX45” resources. Experiments with this module were performed at different signal/noise (S/N) ratio. For S/N of 20 dB and 15 dB word boundaries were estimated with 100% accuracy. Acceptable results were also achieved, for S/N ratio of 10 dB and 5 dB, as the estimation accuracy was 95% and 93%, respectively. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Pateikiamas žodžio ribų nustatymo modulio įgyvendinimas lauku programuojama logine matrica (LPLM). Žodžio riboms nustatyti pasirinktas energijos detektorius, nes šis metodas, naudojant skaitmenines signalų apdorojimo priemones, įgyvendinamas efektyviai. Žodžio ribų nustatymo modulis buvo optimizuotas tiek, kad, įgyvendintas LPLM, jis užėmė 54 loginius elementus „Slice“ – tik 0,7 % „Spartan-6 LX45“ lusto išteklių. Eksperimentuojant nustatyta, kad esant 20 dB ir 15 dB signalo triukšmo santykiui, žodžio ribos nustatomos tiksliai, o kai šis santykis yra 10 dB ir 5 dB, žodžio ribos nustatomos 95 % ir 93 % tikslumu.

scholarly journals Does prosodic constituency signal relative predictability? A Smooth Signal Redundancy hypothesis

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Turk
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Speech ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
Current Paper ◽  
Prosodic Structure ◽  
Constituent Structure ◽  
Complementary Relationship ◽  
Word Boundaries ◽  
University Of Edinburgh ◽  
Redundancy Hypothesis

AbstractThis paper explores issues relating to signaling word boundaries from the perspective of Aylett's Smooth Signal Redundancy proposal (Aylett, Stochastic suprasegmentals: Relationships between redundancy, prosodic structure and care of articulation in spontaneous speech, University of Edinburgh, 2000, Aylett and Turk, Language and Speech 47: 31–56, 2004) that language has evolved to spread redundancy, i.e. recognition likelihood, evenly throughout utterances. In Aylett's proposal, information that enables listeners to identify sequences of elements in an utterance (signal redundancy) comes from two sources: a) language redundancy, recognition likelihood based on lexical, syntactic, semantic, pragmatic and other factors, and b) acoustic redundancy, recognition likelihood based on acoustic salience. Smooth signal redundancy is achieved by a complementary relationship between language redundancy and acoustic redundancy that is implemented via prosodic structure.While Aylett and Turk (Language and Speech 47: 31–56, 2004) present the case for prosodic prominence as a lever for modulating the acoustic salience of syllables, the current paper proposes that prosodic constituency also fulfils this function for words. The current paper proposes that the signal redundancy, or recognition likelihood, of words can be manipulated by signaling their boundaries, and that the occurrence and strength of these boundary markers correlates inversely with language redundancy. Prosodic constituency implements the complementary relationship between language redundancy and word boundary salience.Smooth Signal Redundancy provides an integrated explanation for a set of properties relating to prosodic constituent structure.

scholarly journals Effects of Spacing on Sentence Reading in Chinese

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaisha Oralova ◽  
Victor Kuperman
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
The Other ◽  
Word Boundary ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Sentence Reading ◽  
Word Boundaries ◽  
Theories Of Reading ◽  
Chinese Writing

Given that Chinese writing conventions lack inter-word spacing, understanding whether and how readers of Chinese segment regular unspaced Chinese writing into words is an important question for theories of reading. This study examined the processing outcomes of introducing spaces to written Chinese sentences in varying positions based on native speaker consensus. The measure of consensus for every character transition in our stimuli sentences was the percent of raters who placed a word boundary in that position. The eye movements of native readers of Chinese were recorded while they silently read original unspaced sentences and their experimentally manipulated counterparts for comprehension. We introduced two types of spaced sentences: one with spaces inserted at every probable word boundary (heavily spaced), and another with spaces placed only at highly probable word boundaries (lightly spaced). Linear mixed-effects regression models showed that heavily spaced sentences took identical time to read as unspaced ones despite the shortened fixation times on individual words (Experiment 1). On the other hand, reading times for lightly spaced sentences and words were shorter than those for unspaced ones (Experiment 2). Thus, spaces proved to be advantageous but only when introduced at highly probable word boundaries. We discuss methodological and theoretical implications of these findings.

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