Abstract
The present study examined to what extent proficiency in a non-native language influences speech perception in noise. We explored how English proficiency affected native (Swedish) and non-native (English) speech perception in four speech reception threshold (SRT) conditions, including two energetic (stationary, fluctuating noise) and two informational (two-talker babble Swedish, two-talker babble English) maskers. Twenty-three normal-hearing native Swedish listeners participated, age between 28 and 64 years. The participants also performed standardized tests in English proficiency, non-verbal reasoning and working memory capacity. Our approach with focus on proficiency and the assessment of external as well as internal, listener-related factors allowed us to examine which variables explained intra- and interindividual differences in native and non-native speech perception performance. The main result was that in the non-native target, the level of English proficiency is a decisive factor for speech intelligibility in noise. High English proficiency improved performance in all four conditions when the target language was English. The informational maskers were interfering more with perception than energetic maskers, specifically in the non-native target. The study also confirmed that the SRT’s were better when target language was native compared to non-native.
Highlights
Speech comprehension in noisy conditions and in a non-native language is a challenging process that requires full attention of the listener
The present study examined to what extent proficiency in a non-native language influences speech perception in noise
We explored how English proficiency affected native (Swedish) and non-native (English) speech perception in four speech reception threshold (SRT) conditions, including two energetic and two informational maskers
Summary
Speech comprehension in noisy conditions and in a non-native language is a challenging process that requires full attention of the listener. To perceive words as meaningful in such situations involves perceptual, linguistic, and cognitive abilities as well as knowledge of the current language. The relevance of proficiency has been claimed in previous research (van Wijngaarden et al, 2002; Weiss and Dempsey, 2008; Van Engen, 2010; Brouwer et al, 2012), its plausible role in non-native speech perception has not, to our knowledge, been the main focus in relevant research so far. This study provides a new approach by shifting the focus and by an extended design that assesses the variables that possibly explain interindividual differences in nonnative speech perception. The general aim of the current study is to analyze the contribution of non-native language proficiency in native and non-native speech perception in different types of interfering maskers
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