Learning classes of sounds in infancy

摘要: Adults' phonotactic learning is affected by perceptual biases. One such bias concerns of constraints affecting groups sounds: all else being equal, a natural class (a set sounds sharing some phonetic characteristic) easier than constraint an arbitrary sounds. This could be given, for example, the result innately guided learning; alternatively, it due to human learners‚Ao experience with Using artificial grammars, we investigated whether arises in development, or present as soon infants can learn phonotactics. Seven-monthold English-learning fail generalize pattern involving fricatives and nasals, which does not form coherent group, but succeed oral nasal stops. In this paper, report experiment that explored those results also follow cohort 4-month-olds. Unlike older infants, 4-month-olds were able both groups, suggesting makes on classes likely effect experience. working paper available University Pennsylvania Working Papers Linguistics: http://repository.upenn.edu/pwpl/