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Semantic ambiguity in spoken word recognition
Authors:
RODD, J., Gaskell, M.G. & MARSLEN-WILSON, W.D.
Reference:
Cutler, A., McQueen, J.M., & Zondervan, R. (Eds), Proceedings of the Workshop on Spoken Word access processes May 2000, 103 - 106, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Max-Planck-Institute for Psycholinguistics
Year of publication:
2000
CBU number:
4180
Abstract:
Different models of word recognition make contrasting predictions about the effects of semantic ambiguity. These predictions are critically influenced by the nature of the representations that are involved. Models in which words are recognised as familiar distributed patterns of semantic activation predict that, for ambiguous words (e.g. bark), interference between their meanings should delay their recognition relative to unambiguous words. In contrast, models that represent words as abstract nodes may predict an advantage for ambiguous words that have multiple entries in the race for recognition.
