A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The effect of second language immersion and musical experiences on second language speech processing and general auditory processing
Authors: Wang Cuicui, Flemming Krystal, Wang Yanpei, Putkinen Vesa, Tervaniemi Mari, Lammert Jessica, Tao Sha, Joanisse Marc F.
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Neurolinguistics
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF NEUROLINGUISTICS
Journal acronym: J NEUROLINGUIST
Article number: 101158
Volume: 68
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0911-6044
eISSN: 1873-8052
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2023.101158
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2023.101158
Abstract
Both second language speech processing and general auditory processing are important for second language learning. It remains unclear, however, how second language immersion and musical experience affect second language speech and general auditory processing. Thus, the present study aimed to examine this research question. Native Chinese speakers with intermediate English proficiency (intermediate English learners), native Chinese speakers with English immersion experience (immersed English learners), native Chinese speakers with professional music training experience for more than 10 years (native Chinese-speaking musicians), and native English speakers completed both speech and general auditory oddball tasks. The results found that compared with intermediate English learners and native Chinese-speaking musicians, both immersed English learners and native English speakers showed significantly larger mismatch negativity (MMN) in the speech oddball task, indicating second language immersion experience could facilitate speech processing. However, for general auditory processing, no significant differences in MMN were found among the groups. In summary, second language immersion experience could benefit second language speech processing but not general auditory processing, suggesting the effect of second language immersion is domain-specific (i.e., speech perception). This study fills the gap in understanding the role of different learning experiences on second language learning.
Both second language speech processing and general auditory processing are important for second language learning. It remains unclear, however, how second language immersion and musical experience affect second language speech and general auditory processing. Thus, the present study aimed to examine this research question. Native Chinese speakers with intermediate English proficiency (intermediate English learners), native Chinese speakers with English immersion experience (immersed English learners), native Chinese speakers with professional music training experience for more than 10 years (native Chinese-speaking musicians), and native English speakers completed both speech and general auditory oddball tasks. The results found that compared with intermediate English learners and native Chinese-speaking musicians, both immersed English learners and native English speakers showed significantly larger mismatch negativity (MMN) in the speech oddball task, indicating second language immersion experience could facilitate speech processing. However, for general auditory processing, no significant differences in MMN were found among the groups. In summary, second language immersion experience could benefit second language speech processing but not general auditory processing, suggesting the effect of second language immersion is domain-specific (i.e., speech perception). This study fills the gap in understanding the role of different learning experiences on second language learning.
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