Perceptual development of the categorization of the /r-w/ contrast in normal children

The present study examined the course of the perceptual development of the /r-w/ contrast. In an attempt to extend earlier research, which focused primarily on isolated age groups, data from four age-groups were gathered in the study: adults, and three, four, and five year-old children. The experime...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of phonetics 1998-01, Vol.26 (1), p.27-43
Main Authors: Slawinski, Elzbieta B., Fitzgerald, Laurie K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children
Language
Linguistics
Phonetics
Speech
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Summary:The present study examined the course of the perceptual development of the /r-w/ contrast. In an attempt to extend earlier research, which focused primarily on isolated age groups, data from four age-groups were gathered in the study: adults, and three, four, and five year-old children. The experimental paradigm involved a two-alternative, forced-choice identification task. The stimuli were members of a 7-step synthetic [r-w] continuum modeled after an adult male voice, varying in onset and duration of F2and F3formant transitions. Percent /w/ responses were computed and transformed to yield measures of phonemic boundaries. The significant shift in the phonemic boundary with age, as well as the increase in both the slope-steepness of the identification curve and the consistency of the responses as a function of age, indicated progressive development in phonemic perception. Results are discussed in terms of age-related changes in the auditory system and cognition.
ISSN:0095-4470
1095-8576
DOI:10.1006/jpho.1997.0057