Behavioral and electrophysiological indices of voicing-cue discrimination: Laterality patterns and development

Author(s): Molfese, D. L., Brenden, R. A.

Journal/Book: Brain Lang. 1997; 57: 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495. Academic Press Inc Jnl-Comp Subscriptions. 122-150.

Abstract: Voicing is an important phonetic dimension that distinguishes voiced (i.e., /b/) from voiceless-aspirated stop consonants (i.e., /p(h)/) in English. Perception of discrete voicing categories is affected by a number of acoustic cues. The present paper reviews evidence from brain-damaged populations indicating that the perception of certain voicing cues is less dependent upon left hemisphere mechanisms than the ability to perceive place of articulation contrasts (e.g., /b/ vs. /d/). In addition, electrophysiological and dichotic listening studies with neurologically normal individuals support the view that the right hemisphere may play a special role in the categorical processing of voicing. These findings are discussed in relation to current models of hemispheric specialization and laterality for language.

Note: Article Molfese DL, So Illinois Univ, Dept Psychol, Carbondale,IL 62901 USA

Keyword(s): RELATIVE ONSET TIME; SPEECH-PERCEPTION; HEMISPHERIC-SPECIALIZATION; PLACE CONTRASTS; STOP CONSONANTS; RHESUS-MONKEYS; TEMPORAL CUES; BRAIN-DAMAGE; MOTOR THEORY; APHASIA

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