The preparation of syllables in speech production

• Published in: Journal of memory and language Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 47 - 61
• Main Authors: Cholin, Joana, Schiller, Niels O, Levelt, Willem J.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Comparative Analysis; CV-structure; Form preparation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Implicit priming paradigm; Language; Language Processing; Language production; Language Research; Phonetics; Phonological encoding; Production and perception of spoken language; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Reading Skills; Speech; Speech Communication; Syllables; Implicit priming paradigm; CV-structure; Language production; Form preparation; Syllables; Phonological encoding; Human; Cognition; Verbal production; Experimental study; Language; Speech; Syllable
• ISSN: 0749-596X; 1096-0821
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jml.2003.08.003

Models of speech production assume that syllables play a functional role in the process of word-form encoding in speech production. In this study, we investigate this claim and specifically provide evidence about the level at which syllables come into play. We report two studies using an odd-man-out variant of the implicit priming paradigm to examine the role of the syllable during the process of word formation. Our results show that this modified version of the implicit priming paradigm can trace the emergence of syllabic structure during spoken word generation. Comparing these results to prior syllable priming studies, we conclude that syllables emerge at the interface between phonological and phonetic encoding. The results are discussed in terms of the WEAVER++ model of lexical access.