This paper explores the impact of contrast versus allophony on the perception of speech sounds in... more This paper explores the impact of contrast versus allophony on the perception of speech sounds in a series of four experiments contrasting the behavior of Spanish-speaking and English- speaking listeners, and considers how these empirical results should be integrated into a theory of speech perception. In addition to the basic finding that models of speech perception are in fact correct in their prediction that phonemic contrasts are more perceptually distinct than allophonic contrasts, the results of experiments like the ones presented here can be used to differentiate models of speech perception based on the mechanisms by which this more basic finding is predicted in the different models, as will be discussed. In section 6, we consider the effectiveness of two different models in accounting for the results: a phonological inferencing model (e.g. Gaskell and Marslen-Wilson 1998) and an exemplar model (e.g. Goldinger 1992, 1996; Palmeri et al. 1993; Johnson 1997a, b, 2004; Coleman 2002; Pierrehumbert 2003; Hawkins 2003). To anticipate our conclusion, both models are successful in predicting our findings relating to allophony versus phonemic contrast. Only the exemplar model, however, is able to account for the full range of results obtained in this study.
* Based on a diverse and complementary set of theoretical and empirical findings, we describe an ... more * Based on a diverse and complementary set of theoretical and empirical findings, we describe an approach to phonology in which sound patterns are shaped by the trade-off between biases supporting message transmission accuracy and resource cost. We refer to this approach as Message-Oriented Phonology. The evidence suggests that these biases influence the form of messages, defined with reference to a language's morphemes, words or higher levels of meaning, rather than influencing phonological categories directly. Integrating concepts from information theory and Bayesian inference with the existing body of phonological research, we propose a testable model of phonology that makes quantitative predictions. Moreover, we show that approaching language as a system of message transfer provides greater explanatory coverage of a diverse range of sound patterns. * Acknowledgements. Approx. 22k words plus references.
This paper explores the impact of contrast versus allophony on the perception of speech sounds in... more This paper explores the impact of contrast versus allophony on the perception of speech sounds in a series of four experiments contrasting the behavior of Spanish-speaking and English- speaking listeners, and considers how these empirical results should be integrated into a theory of speech perception. In addition to the basic finding that models of speech perception are in fact correct in their prediction that phonemic contrasts are more perceptually distinct than allophonic contrasts, the results of experiments like the ones presented here can be used to differentiate models of speech perception based on the mechanisms by which this more basic finding is predicted in the different models, as will be discussed. In section 6, we consider the effectiveness of two different models in accounting for the results: a phonological inferencing model (e.g. Gaskell and Marslen-Wilson 1998) and an exemplar model (e.g. Goldinger 1992, 1996; Palmeri et al. 1993; Johnson 1997a, b, 2004; Coleman 2002; Pierrehumbert 2003; Hawkins 2003). To anticipate our conclusion, both models are successful in predicting our findings relating to allophony versus phonemic contrast. Only the exemplar model, however, is able to account for the full range of results obtained in this study.
* Based on a diverse and complementary set of theoretical and empirical findings, we describe an ... more * Based on a diverse and complementary set of theoretical and empirical findings, we describe an approach to phonology in which sound patterns are shaped by the trade-off between biases supporting message transmission accuracy and resource cost. We refer to this approach as Message-Oriented Phonology. The evidence suggests that these biases influence the form of messages, defined with reference to a language's morphemes, words or higher levels of meaning, rather than influencing phonological categories directly. Integrating concepts from information theory and Bayesian inference with the existing body of phonological research, we propose a testable model of phonology that makes quantitative predictions. Moreover, we show that approaching language as a system of message transfer provides greater explanatory coverage of a diverse range of sound patterns. * Acknowledgements. Approx. 22k words plus references.
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Papers by Kathleen Hall