Abstract

According to the Perceptual Assimilation Model (PAM), articulatory similarity/dissimilarity between sounds of the second language (L2) and the native language (L1) governs L2 learnability in adulthood and predicts L2 sound perception by naïve listeners. We performed behavioral and neurophysiological experiments on two groups of university students at the first and fifth years of the English language curriculum and on a group of naïve listeners. Categorization and discrimination tests, as well as the mismatch negativity (MMN) brain response to L2 sound changes, showed that the discriminatory capabilities of the students did not significantly differ from those of the naïve subjects. In line with the PAM model, we extend the findings of previous behavioral studies showing that, at the neural level, classroom instruction in adulthood relies on assimilation of L2 vowels to L1 phoneme categories and does not trigger improvement in L2 phonetic discrimination.

Autore Pugliese

• Grimaldi Milko Antonino , Invitto Sara , Gili Fivela Barbara

Tutti gli autori

• Grimaldi M.A. , Sisinni B. , Invitto S. , Resta D. , GILI FIVELA B. , Paavo A. , Brattico E.

Titolo volume/Rivista

FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCES

Anno di pubblicazione

2014

ISSN

1662-5161

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

9

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

25/04/2018

Numero di citazioni Scopus

4

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

26/04/2018

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile