Abstract

Three experiments designed to investigate the effect of distal rhythm on sound disambiguation. In Experiment 1, three types of duration were manipulated in two word phrase with lexically ambiguous (e.g. xi, an; xian). Proximal rhythm affected the rate which participants heard one word or two words. In Experiment 2, lengthening the experimental materials into 6 word sequences with final word ambiguous and putting on the same three types of duration as Experiment 1 confirm the effect of distal rhythm on word segmentation and the difference between proximal rhythm and distal rhythm. Experiment 3 used the materials of Experiment 2 and was operated under three new types of duration to finally find the specific range of distal rhythm that participants can hear the final word or two words of sequences without confusion. Overall, this research identifies distal duration as a factor in word segmentation and the stronger influence of distal rhythm than the lexical stress itself. 

Keywords: duration; distal rhythm; proximal rhythm; word segmentation 

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-3

3. Experiment 1-5

3.1 Method-5

3.1.1 Participants and Design-5

3.1.2 Materials-5

3.1.3 Procedure-6

3.2 Results and Discussion-6

4. Experiment 2-9

4.1 Method-9

4.1.1 Participants and Design-9

4.1.2 Materials-9

4.1.3 Procedure-9

4.2 Results and Discussion-10

5. Experiment 3-12

5.1 Method-12

5.1.1 Participants and Design-12

5.1.2 Materials-12

5.1.3 Procedure-12

5.2 Results and Discussion-12

6. General Discussion-15

6.1 Summary and Key Observations-15

6.2 Implications-15

6.2.1 Implication for Word Segmentation-15

6.2.2 Implication for All Language Regularities-15

6.2.3 Implication for Language Teaching-16

6.3 Limitation and Possible Further Study-16

7. Conclusion-18

Appendix-19

References-20