Phonetic representations and lexical access

Abstract

In this paper I will consider the available evidence in favor of phonetic and phonological representations in speech processing, particularly as these representations are related to questions of word recognition and lexical access. Several experimental findings will be summarized. These empirical findings along with logical and theoretical considerations provide support for the assumption that phonetic and phonological representations are computed by the human speech processing mechanisms and serve an important function in word recognition and access to the mental lexicon. The arguments in favor of such phonological mediation will be outlined and compared to assumptions made in several contemporary models such as Logogen, Cohort and Lafs. [Work supported by NINCDS Research Grant NS‐12179‐05.]