Underpinnings of explicit phonetic imitation: perception, production, and variability

This work tests the relative role of perception- and production-based predictors, relationship between them, in imitation artificial accents varying voice onset time (VOT), using a paradigm designed to target distinct sub-processes imitation. We examined how explicit sentences differing systematically (VOT) was influenced by type VOT manipulation (lengthened vs. shortened) presence absence voice-related variability exposure. In contrast previous work, participants imitated shortened as well lengthened VOT, albeit with both qualitative quantitative differences across two types. The inhibited imitation, but this inhibition mitigated preceding session no (i.e., were acoustically identical except for VOT). then tested extent which individual performance on accent task related three other tasks: 1) discrimination accents, 2) words isolation drawn from continuum, 3) these same words. Performance word-level task, not independently predictive Results are consistent conceptualization sum automatic phonetic convergence processes overlaid distinct, controlled perceptual articulatory factors that pattern differently individuals. Phonetic should be considered monolithic skill, models predicting variation imitative ability must consider only potential sources variability, also at what level exert their influence.