13.06.2024

Join us for the talk “Neural signatures of accented speech processing in noisy and quiet conditions” by prof. Janet G. van Hell at June 25th (Tuesday) 2pm in room 6.01!

Abstract:

Most late second language (L2) learners, even those with high L2 proficiency, have a noticeable accent in their L2. How do listeners process the accented speech produced by L2 learners? In my talk, I will discuss recent behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG/ERP) evidence on how listeners process semantic and syntactic information in sentences spoken by nonnative- and native-accented speakers. More specifically, I will discuss studies that examined how nonnative- and native-accented sentence processing is affected by listeners’ own language experience, information about the speakers’ identity, and noisy vs. quiet environments. Together these findings highlight the importance of integrating the impact of socio-indexical cues, listener experience, and environmental features in theoretical models on how listeners process speech produced by late L2 learners.

Janet G. van Hell is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Linguistics and Director of Center for Language Science at Pennsylvania State University.