The overall objective of the research program is to increase our understanding of spoken language comprehension. Our specific focus is on the initial stages of language processing, during which the speech signal is analyzed with respect to those acoustic properties that specify the segmental structure of the utterance -- the sequences of consonants and vowels that define the lexical items of the language. It is known that the mapping between acoustic signal and phonetic structure is complex, in that it changes substantially as a function of numerous contextual factors. One of these is speaking rate. During the course of normal conversation the rate at which an individual speaks varies widely, and this change in rate systematically alters many of the acoustic properties that convey segmental information. The critical issue for a theory of spoken language processing is how the listener is able to comprehend the utterance, despite this variation in the speech signal. Recent research indicates the manner in which this might be accomplished: It appears that during language processing the listener appropriately, and with great precision, analyzes the segmentally-relevant acoustic information in relation to the rate at which the utterance was produced, rather than in an absolute manner. The goal of the proposed research is to elucidate the nature of such rate-dependent processing. This research constitutes an extension of our ongoing research program, and focuses on three fundamental issues: (1) Conditions of rate-dependent processing; (2) Effect of rate on the internal structure of phonetic categories; and (3) Nature of the relevant rate information. We will investigate these issues by conducting parallel studies of speech perception and speech production. Taken together, these studies will allow us to specify the way in which the processing system accommodates for the complex alterations in the acoustic fine-structure of speech that result from a change in rate. The proposed research will provide fundamental information on the initial stages of language processing. In so doing it will place important constraints on a theory of speech perception and contribute toward our knowledge of normal language comprehension. A complete understanding of the processes involved in the comprehension of spoken language is not only important in its own right, but provides a critical basis for the study of both language acquisition and language disorder.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC000130-18
Application #
2124752
Study Section
Sensory Disorders and Language Study Section (CMS)
Project Start
1978-04-01
Project End
1998-06-30
Budget Start
1995-07-01
Budget End
1996-06-30
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northeastern University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
039318308
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Theodore, Rachel M; Miller, Joanne L (2010) Characteristics of listener sensitivity to talker-specific phonetic detail. J Acoust Soc Am 128:2090-9
Theodore, Rachel M; Miller, Joanne L; DeSteno, David (2009) Individual talker differences in voice-onset-time: contextual influences. J Acoust Soc Am 125:3974-82
Schwab, Sandra; Miller, Joanne L; Grosjean, Francois et al. (2008) Effect of speaking rate on the identification of word boundaries. Phonetica 65:173-86
Brancazio, Lawrence; Miller, Joanne L (2005) Use of visual information in speech perception: evidence for a visual rate effect both with and without a McGurk effect. Percept Psychophys 67:759-69
Brancazio, Lawrence; Miller, Joanne L; Pare, Matthew A (2003) Visual influences on the internal structure of phonetic categories. Percept Psychophys 65:591-601
Allen, J S; Miller, J L (2001) Contextual influences on the internal structure of phonetic categories: a distinction between lexical status and speaking rate. Percept Psychophys 63:798-810
Miller, J L; O'Rourke, T B; Volaitis, L E (1997) Internal structure of phonetic categories: effects of speaking rate. Phonetica 54:121-37