本论文报告了三个研究，旨在探讨声母是否为广东话口语产出过程中的基本加工单元。研究一通过三个不同的实验范式（即，图片命名内隐准备范式、词汇联想内隐准备范式和词图干扰范式）对比了声母和音节的准备效应。结果显示，广东话的声母准备效应比较微弱，只能通过图片命名内隐范式得到；相比而言，广东话音节的准备效应非常稳定，在三个实验范式中都非常明显。研究二旨在探索声母准备效应的时间进程。行为结果显示，只有当准备间隔等于500毫秒时，才能得到稳定的声母准备效应。脑电结果也与此呼应，同质条件和异质条件的神经电活动的差异出现于400-650毫秒之间。具体表现为：同质条件下的关联负变化（contingent negative variation, CNV）波幅在400-450和600-650毫秒间比异质条件下的CNV波幅更大；在异质条件下，CNV电波在700-750毫秒时就从早成分转向了晚成分；而在同质条件下，CNV早成分到晚成分的转换时间提前到了600-650毫秒。研究三旨在考察音节频率是否能够调节声母准备效应。结果显示，声母准备效应只能在低频音节中得到，而无法在高频音节中得到。综合所有的研究结果，在广东话语音编码过程中，1）声母是可以作为基本加工单元的，但其效应受到更高层因素的调节（如：准备时间和音节频率）；2）音节下加工单元（sub-syllable units）能够直接启动发音运动准备过程，而无需等待音节中的其它加工单元。最后，根据本论文的结果，我们建议能够用一种普适词汇产出的观点来调和关于基本加工单元是否为语言特异性的争议。 / Three studies were conducted to investigate whether the onset can be a basic planning unit in Cantonese spoken word production. In Study 1, the onset- and syllable-preparation effects were tested through three frequently used paradigms: the picture-naming implicit form-preparation (picIP) paradigm, the word-associative naming implicit form-preparation (waIP) paradigm and the picture-word interference (PWI) paradigm. The onset-preparation effect was weak in Cantonese and could be obtained only through the picIP paradigm, while the syllable preparation effects were much robust and could be obtained using all of the paradigms. Study 2 was aimed at exploring the time course of onset preparation. The behavioral data showed that the onset-preparation effect was significant only when the foreperiod was 500 ms. The event-related potential (ERP) data echoed this finding; different neural activities between the homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions were found 400650 ms after the time cue. Study 3 showed that the syllable frequency could moderate the onset-preparation effect, which was significant for low-frequency syllables but not for high-frequency syllables. These results indicate that 1) the onset can be a basic planning unit in Cantonese, but its function and effect size are moderated by some higher-level factors, such as preparation time and syllable frequency, and 2) sub-syllable units could directly initiate articulation without waiting for the remaining parts within a syllable. A language-universal position is suggested to reconcile the debates between the language-specific and language-general hypotheses regarding the basic planning units in spoken word production. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Ning, Ning. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-98). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese. / English abstract --- p.iii / Chinese abstract --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.vii / List of tables --- p.x / List of figures --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- The basic planning units in word production --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- The phonological encoding process in word production --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- The properties of the basic planning units --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- Ways to approach the basic planning units --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2. --- Debates surrounding the basic planning units --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Sub-syllable units, syllable units or both --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Language specific vs. language general --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Instantaneous vs. delayed response --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3. --- Characteristics of Cantonese word production --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.1. --- Phonological properties of Cantonese --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.2. --- The basic planning units in Cantonese word production --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Overview of the present studies --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1. --- Motivations --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2. --- The present studies --- p.27 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Study 1 - Onset effects in Cantonese word production - the sensitivity of different paradigms --- p.30 / Chapter 3.1. --- Aim and predictions --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2. --- Materials --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3. --- Experiment 1 - The picture-naming IP paradigm --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Method --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Results --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4. --- Experiment 2 - The word-associative naming IP paradigm --- p.38 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Method --- p.38 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Results --- p.38 / Chapter 3.5. --- Experiment 3 - The PWI paradigm --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Method --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5.2. --- Results --- p.41 / Chapter 3.6. --- Discussion --- p.43 / Chapter 3.6.1. --- The onset as a basic planning unit --- p.43 / Chapter 3.6.2. --- The “rightward incremental“ pattern in unit association --- p.44 / Chapter 3.6.3. --- Independence between the word-length effect and the preparation effect --- p.46 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Study 2 - The time course of onset preparation --- p.48 / Chapter 4.1. --- Aim and predictions --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3. --- Experiment 4 - Evidence from a behavioral experiment --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Pilot experiment --- p.52 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Method --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Results --- p.54 / Chapter 4.4. --- Experiment 5 - Evidence from an ERP experiment --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.1. --- Method --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.2. --- Data analyses --- p.58 / Chapter 4.4.3. --- Results --- p.59 / Chapter 4.5. --- Discussion --- p.63 / Chapter 4.5.1. --- The relationship between the behavioral and ERP indices --- p.64 / Chapter 4.5.2. --- ERP correlates of the onset-preparation effect --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5.3. --- A technique issue --- p.67 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Study 3 - The moderation of syllable frequency on the onset-preparation effects --- p.68 / Chapter 5.1. --- Aim and predictions --- p.68 / Chapter 5.2. --- Experiment 6 --- p.69 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Method --- p.69 / Chapter 5.2.2. --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 5.3. --- Experiment 7 --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Method --- p.72 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Results --- p.73 / Chapter 5.4. --- Discussion --- p.74 / Chapter 5.4.1. --- The “early locus“ hypothesis --- p.74 / Chapter 5.4.2. --- The reversed syllable-frequency effect --- p.75 / Chapter 5.4.3. --- Comparisons with other studies --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- General discussion --- p.78 / Chapter 6.1. --- What is new in the present study? --- p.79 / Chapter 6.1.1. --- A sensitive paradigm --- p.79 / Chapter 6.1.2. --- A sensitive foreperiod --- p.80 / Chapter 6.1.3. --- Neural correlates of the onset-preparation effect --- p.81 / Chapter 6.1.4. --- Locus of the syllable-frequency effect --- p.82 / Chapter 6.2. --- Contributions to the three debates --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.1. --- Syllable vs. sub-syllable units --- p.83 / Chapter 6.2.2. --- Language specific vs. language general --- p.85 / Chapter 6.2.3. --- Instantaneous vs. delayed response --- p.86 / Chapter 6.3. --- Limitations and future directions --- p.88 / Chapter 6.3.1. --- Dissociation between seriality and incrementality --- p.88 / Chapter 6.3.2. --- More time points for foreperiod length --- p.89 / Chapter 6.3.3. --- The lack of onset-preparation effects for high-frequency syllables --- p.89 / Chapter 6.3.4. --- Other moderators and cross-language studies --- p.90 / Bibliography --- p.92 / Appendices --- p.99 / Chapter Appendix A. --- Prime and target pairs for Experiment 2. --- p.99 / Chapter Appendix B. --- Methods and detailed results of pilot study for Experiment 4. --- p.100 / Chapter Appendix C. --- Response words for Experiments 6 and 7. --- p.102

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This report describes a systematic procedure designed to give students pronunciation feedback on suprasegmental features of English in spontaneous production (rather than students' pronunciation during a read-aloud task). The procedure was developed to find out if written feedback (given frequently enough) could impact students' spontaneous production of suprasegmentals. Pronunciation feedback was given to the treatment group by marking transcripts of spontaneous speech with written symbols. Both the treatment group and the control group received form-focused pronunciation instruction. After 14 weeks, there was no significant difference between the groups, but there was a statistically significant improvement in students' comprehensibility overall (regardless of the feedback condition). Students were also surveyed to determine if either group perceived a greater benefit from the pronunciation instruction or if either group perceived a greater improvement in pronunciation. Surveys revealed a meaningful correlation between the group that received the treatment and the group that found the pronunciation instruction to be beneficial.

<p>The aim of this study is to find out which variety of English pupils in secondary school use, British or American English, if they are aware of their usage, and if there are differences between girls and boys. British English is normally the variety taught in school, but influences of American English due to exposure of different media are strong and have consequently a great impact on Swedish pupils. This study took place in a secondary school, and 33 pupils in grade 9 participated in the investigation. They filled in a questionnaire which investigated vocabulary, attitudes and awareness, and read a list of words out loud. The study showed that the pupils tend to use American English more than British English, in both vocabulary and pronunciation, and that all of the pupils mixed American and British features. A majority of the pupils had a higher preference for American English, particularly the boys, who also seemed to be more aware of which variety they use, and in general more aware of the differences between British and American English.</p>

The aim of this study is to find out which variety of English pupils in secondary school use, British or American English, if they are aware of their usage, and if there are differences between girls and boys. British English is normally the variety taught in school, but influences of American English due to exposure of different media are strong and have consequently a great impact on Swedish pupils. This study took place in a secondary school, and 33 pupils in grade 9 participated in the investigation. They filled in a questionnaire which investigated vocabulary, attitudes and awareness, and read a list of words out loud. The study showed that the pupils tend to use American English more than British English, in both vocabulary and pronunciation, and that all of the pupils mixed American and British features. A majority of the pupils had a higher preference for American English, particularly the boys, who also seemed to be more aware of which variety they use, and in general more aware of the differences between British and American English.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-206). Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / English / Master / Master of Philosophy

The pronunciation dictionary is a key resource required during the development of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. In this thesis, we adapt a British English pronunciation dictionary to Standard South African English (SSAE), as a case study in dialect adaptation. Our investigation leads us in three different directions: dictionary verification, phoneme redundancy evaluation and phoneme adaptation. A pronunciation dictionary should be verified for correctness before its implementation in experiments or applications. However, employing a human to verify a full pronunciation dictionary is an indulgent process which cannot always be accommodated. In our dictionary verification research we attempt to reduce the human effort required in the verification of a pronunciation dictionary by implementing automatic and semi-automatic techniques that find and isolate possible erroneous entries in the dictionary. We identify a number of new techniques that are very efficient in identifying errors, and apply them to a public domain British English pronunciation dictionary. Investigating phoneme redundancy involves looking into the possibility that not all phoneme distinctions are required in SSAE, and investigating different methods of analysing these distinctions. The methods that are investigated include both data driven and knowledge based pronunciation suggestions for a pronunciation dictionary used in an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. This investigation facilitates a deeper linguistic insight into the pronunciation of phonemes in SSAE. Finally, we investigate phoneme adaptation by adapting the KIT phoneme between two dialects of English through the implementation of a set of adaptation rules. Adaptation rules are extracted from literature but also formulated through an investigation of the linguistic phenomena in the data. We achieve a 93% predictive accuracy, which is significantly higher than the 71 % achievable through the implementation of previously identified rules. The adaptation of a British pronunciation dictionary to SSAE represents the final step of developing a SSAE pronunciation dictionary, which is the aim of this thesis. In addition, an ASR system utilising the dictionary is developed, achieving an unconstrained phoneme accuracy of 79.7%. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Computer Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The pronunciation dictionary is a key resource required during the development of an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. In this thesis, we adapt a British English pronunciation dictionary to Standard South African English (SSAE), as a case study in dialect adaptation. Our investigation leads us in three different directions: dictionary verification, phoneme redundancy evaluation and phoneme adaptation. A pronunciation dictionary should be verified for correctness before its implementation in experiments or applications. However, employing a human to verify a full pronunciation dictionary is an indulgent process which cannot always be accommodated. In our dictionary verification research we attempt to reduce the human effort required in the verification of a pronunciation dictionary by implementing automatic and semi-automatic techniques that find and isolate possible erroneous entries in the dictionary. We identify a number of new techniques that are very efficient in identifying errors, and apply them to a public domain British English pronunciation dictionary. Investigating phoneme redundancy involves looking into the possibility that not all phoneme distinctions are required in SSAE, and investigating different methods of analysing these distinctions. The methods that are investigated include both data driven and knowledge based pronunciation suggestions for a pronunciation dictionary used in an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. This investigation facilitates a deeper linguistic insight into the pronunciation of phonemes in SSAE. Finally, we investigate phoneme adaptation by adapting the KIT phoneme between two dialects of English through the implementation of a set of adaptation rules. Adaptation rules are extracted from literature but also formulated through an investigation of the linguistic phenomena in the data. We achieve a 93% predictive accuracy, which is significantly higher than the 71 % achievable through the implementation of previously identified rules. The adaptation of a British pronunciation dictionary to SSAE represents the final step of developing a SSAE pronunciation dictionary, which is the aim of this thesis. In addition, an ASR system utilising the dictionary is developed, achieving an unconstrained phoneme accuracy of 79.7%. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Computer Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 199-206). Also available on the Internet.