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Lexical segmentation and ambiguity: Investigating the recognition of onset-embedded words
Authors:
DAVIS, M.H., Gaskell, M.G., & MARSLEN-WILSON, W.D.
Reference:
Proceedings of the Workshop on Spoken Word Access Processes, April 2000, 71-74
Year of publication:
2000
CBU number:
4146
Abstract:
The lack of acoustic markers of word boundaries in connected speech may create temporary ambiguities between words like cap and the start of longer words like captain. These ambiguities have motivated models of spoken word recognition in which lexical competition allows information after the end of an embedded word to assist identification. We review the results of priming experiments demonstrating that additional acoustic cues assist listeners in distinguishing embedded words from longer competitors. We present a recurrent network model in which acoustic information and following context combine in the identification of onset-embedded words. Simulations show an activation profile consistent with the cross-modal priming data suggesting that recurrent networks can be used to model the identification of onset-embedded words.
