Phonological perception by birds: budgerigars can perceive lexical stress.

摘要: Metrical phonology is the perceptual "strength" in language of some syllables relative to others. The ability perceive lexical stress important, as it can help a listener segment speech and distinguish meaning words sentences. Despite this importance, there has been little comparative work on perception across species. We used go/no-go operant paradigm train human participants budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) trochaic (stress-initial) from iambic (stress-final) two-syllable nonsense words. Once learned task, we presented both novel words, familiar that had certain cues removed (e.g., pitch, duration, loudness, or vowel quality) determine which were most important perception. Members species task then able generalize exemplars, showing categorical learning rather than rote memorization. Tests using reduced stimuli showed humans could identify patterns with amplitude pitch alone, but not only duration quality. Budgerigars required more one cue be present trouble if quality missing cues. results suggest decoded by other Further stress-perception research what characteristics predict ability. In addition, tests variety how much depends general pattern processes versus vocalization-specific