Dataset Information

Neural-Behavioral Relation in Phonetic Discrimination Modulated by Language Background.

ABSTRACT: It is a well-demonstrated phenomenon that listeners can discriminate native phonetic contrasts better than nonnative ones. Recent neuroimaging studies have started to reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. By focusing on the mismatch negativity/response (MMN/R), a widely studied index of neural sensitivity to sound change, researchers have observed larger MMNs for native contrasts than for nonnative ones in EEG, but also a more focused and efficient neural activation pattern for native contrasts in MEG. However, direct relations between behavioral discrimination and MMN/R are rarely reported. In the current study, 15 native English speakers and 15 native Spanish speakers completed both a behavioral discrimination task and a separate MEG recording to measure MMR to a VOT-based speech contrast (i.e., pre-voiced vs. voiced stop consonant), which represents a phonetic contrast native to Spanish speakers but is nonnative to English speakers. At the group level, English speakers exhibited significantly lower behavioral sensitivity (d') to the contrast but a more expansive MMR, replicating previous studies. Across individuals, a significant relation between behavioral sensitivity and the MMR was only observed in the Spanish group. Potential differences in the mechanisms underlying behavioral discrimination for the two groups are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Zhao TC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9027764 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Neural-Behavioral Relation in Phonetic Discrimination Modulated by Language Background.

Zhao Tian Christina TC

Brain sciences 20220329 4

It is a well-demonstrated phenomenon that listeners can discriminate native phonetic contrasts better than nonnative ones. Recent neuroimaging studies have started to reveal the underlying neural mechanisms. By focusing on the mismatch negativity/response (MMN/R), a widely studied index of neural sensitivity to sound change, researchers have observed larger MMNs for native contrasts than for nonnative ones in EEG, but also a more focused and efficient neural activation pattern for native contras ...[more]

PMID: 35447991

Similar Datasets

Project description:In this study, we examined differential effects of facets of the home language and literacy environment that are known to be relevant to either language development (i.e., quantity and quality of language and literacy stimulation at home) or theory of mind (ToM) development (i.e., parental mental state language), on both children's language skills and their ToM understanding. Moreover, we investigated whether these relations are particularly relevant for children from homes with low socioeconomic status (SES) and whether they account for SES-related disparities in child language skills and ToM understanding. Using longitudinal data of a sample of 224 monolingual German preschool children (assessment of language skills at age 4;6 and 5;6 and ToM at age 5;6), we analyzed the effects of three facets of the home language and literacy environment on later child language and ToM understanding. These facets were book exposure as a measure for quantity of language and literacy stimulation at home, quality of verbal interaction, and parental mental state language assessed between ages 3 and 4. Path analyses showed that book exposure is related to both later ToM understanding and language skills at age 5;6 years; yet, this effect is mediated by earlier language skills at age 4;6 years. Furthermore, book exposure partly mediated the association between SES and language skills and, via earlier language skills at age 4;6, also the relation between SES and ToM. When focusing on children from lower SES families, book exposure and quality of verbal stimulation predicted children's later language skills at age 4;6. Book exposure also predicted change in language skills between age 4;6 and age 5;6. Further, book exposure proved to be significantly associated with children's ToM understanding at age 5;6 via the relation with language skills at 4;6 years. In addition, parental mental state language predicted children's ToM understanding at age 5;6 years. Our findings provide new evidence on how different facets of the home language and literacy environment are related to ToM and language development and their interrelation as well as their SES-related disparities.

Dataset Information

Neural-Behavioral Relation in Phonetic Discrimination Modulated by Language Background.

Publications

Neural-Behavioral Relation in Phonetic Discrimination Modulated by Language Background.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets