Perceptual learning for speech

Atten Percept Psychophys. 2009 Aug;71(6):1207-18. doi: 10.3758/APP.71.6.1207.

Abstract

Adult language users have an enormous amount of experience with speech in their native language. As a result, they have very well-developed processes for categorizing the sounds of speech that they hear. Despite this very high level of experience, recent research has shown that listeners are capable of redeveloping their speech categorization to bring it into alignment with new variation in their speech input. This reorganization of phonetic space is a type of perceptual learning, or recalibration, of speech processes. In this article, we review several recent lines of research on perceptual learning for speech.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Language Development*
  • Multilingualism
  • Phonetics
  • Reading
  • Retention, Psychology
  • Social Environment
  • Speech Perception*
  • Speech Production Measurement
  • Verbal Behavior