Exploring the Nature and Development of Phonological Representations

Findings in infant speech perception suggest that early phonological perceptions may be syllabic in nature, and that there is a loss of sensitivity to nonnative contrasts toward the end of the first year of life. We present a neural network model that simulates these two phenomena. In addition, the model and simulations (1) demonstrate how information about stress can be utilized in generating syllable-like perceptions; (2) provide a simple means of extracting static representations from a dynamic and co-articulated signal; and (3) indicate that the development of “attractor” states may be necessary in network models of these phenomena.

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