How Talker Identity Relates to Language Processing

摘要: Speech carries both linguistic content – phonemes, words, sentences and talker information, sometimes called ‘indexical information’. While variability materially affects language processing, it has historically been regarded as a curiosity rather than central influence, possibly because does not fit with conception of speech sounds abstract categories. Despite this relegation to the periphery, long history research suggests that phoneme perception are interrelated. The current review argues itself may arise from phylogenetically earlier vocal recognition, discusses evidence many cues identity also speech-sound identity. Rather brushing differences aside, explicit examination role in processing can illuminate our understanding origins spoken language, nature representations themselves. Spoken contains great amount communicative information. refer things, but identifies or classifies person speaking. This dual function links other types communication systems, means recognizing speakers intertwined. Imagine someone says word cat. pitch ‘cat’ is 200 Hz, delay between opening tract beginning vocal-cord vibration 80 ms. listener process all acoustic information identify ⁄ kaet . Many would agree relatively unimportant, while 80-ms voice onset time crucial distinguishes k very similar g But what happens ‘unimportant’ information? On modular view, linked discarded by speech-processing system (e.g. Liberman Mattingly 1985). Nonetheless, details such influence comprehension they indicate speaker’s identity, refine listener’s expectations about particular likely talk about. Differing theories have different accounts identification. one two separate, independent systems identification