Network


Latest external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.

Hotspot


Dive into the research topics where Melissa M. Baese-Berk is active.

Publication


Featured researches published by Melissa M. Baese-Berk.


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2015

Enhancing speech learning by combining task practice with periods of stimulus exposure without practice

Beverly A. Wright; Melissa M. Baese-Berk; Nicole Marrone; Ann R. Bradlow

Language acquisition typically involves periods when the learner speaks and listens to the new language, and others when the learner is exposed to the language without consciously speaking or listening to it. Adaptation to variants of a native language occurs under similar conditions. Here, speech learning by adults was assessed following a training regimen that mimicked this common situation of language immersion without continuous active language processing. Experiment 1 focused on the acquisition of a novel phonetic category along the voice-onset-time continuum, while Experiment 2 focused on adaptation to foreign-accented speech. The critical training regimens of each experiment involved alternation between periods of practice with the task of phonetic classification (Experiment 1) or sentence recognition (Experiment 2) and periods of stimulus exposure without practice. These practice and exposure periods yielded little to no improvement separately, but alternation between them generated as much or more improvement as did practicing during every period. Practice appears to serve as a catalyst that enables stimulus exposures encountered both during and outside of the practice periods to contribute to quite distinct cases of speech learning. It follows that practice-plus-exposure combinations may tap a general learning mechanism that facilitates language acquisition and speech processing.


Language, cognition and neuroscience | 2016

Dimensions of similarity in the mental lexicon

Melinda Fricke; Melissa M. Baese-Berk; Matthew Goldrick

ABSTRACT During language production planning, multiple candidate representations are implicitly activated prior to articulation. Lexical representations that are phonologically related to the target (phonological neighbours) are known to influence phonetic properties of the target word. However, the question of which dimensions of phonological similarity contribute to such lexical-phonetic effects remains unanswered. In the present study, we reanalyse phonetic data from a previous study, examining the contrasting predictions of different definitions of phonological similarity. Our results suggest that similarity at the level of position-specific phonological segments best predicts the influence of neighbour activation on phonetic properties of initial consonants.


Psychonomic Bulletin & Review | 2015

Interactions between distal speech rate, linguistic knowledge, and speech environment

Tuuli H. Morrill; Melissa M. Baese-Berk; Christopher C. Heffner; Laura C. Dilley

During lexical access, listeners use both signal-based and knowledge-based cues, and information from the linguistic context can affect the perception of acoustic speech information. Recent findings suggest that the various cues used in lexical access are implemented with flexibility and may be affected by information from the larger speech context. We conducted 2 experiments to examine effects of a signal-based cue (distal speech rate) and a knowledge-based cue (linguistic structure) on lexical perception. In Experiment 1, we manipulated distal speech rate in utterances where an acoustically ambiguous critical word was either obligatory for the utterance to be syntactically well formed (e.g., Conner knew that bread and butter (are) both in the pantry) or optional (e.g., Don must see the harbor (or) boats). In Experiment 2, we examined identical target utterances as in Experiment 1 but changed the distribution of linguistic structures in the fillers. The results of the 2 experiments demonstrate that speech rate and linguistic knowledge about critical word obligatoriness can both influence speech perception. In addition, it is possible to alter the strength of a signal-based cue by changing information in the speech environment. These results provide support for models of word segmentation that include flexible weighting of signal-based and knowledge-based cues.


Attention Perception & Psychophysics | 2018

Coping with adversity: Individual differences in the perception of noisy and accented speech

Drew J. McLaughlin; Melissa M. Baese-Berk; Tessa Bent; Stephanie A. Borrie; Kristin Van Engen

During speech communication, both environmental noise and nonnative accents can create adverse conditions for the listener. Individuals recruit additional cognitive, linguistic, and/or perceptual resources when faced with such challenges. Furthermore, listeners vary in their ability to understand speech in adverse conditions. In the present study, we compared individuals’ receptive vocabulary, inhibition, rhythm perception, and working memory with transcription accuracy (i.e., intelligibility scores) for four adverse listening conditions: native speech in speech-shaped noise, native speech with a single-talker masker, nonnative-accented speech in quiet, and nonnative-accented speech in speech-shaped noise. The results showed that intelligibility scores for similar types of adverse listening conditions (i.e., with the same environmental noise or nonnative-accented speech) significantly correlated with one another. Furthermore, receptive vocabulary positively predicted performance globally across adverse listening conditions, and working memory positively predicted performance for the nonnative-accented speech conditions. Taken together, these results indicate that some cognitive resources may be recruited for all adverse listening conditions, while specific additional resources may be engaged when people are faced with certain types of listening challenges.


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

Acoustic correlates of prominence in Yawarana

Natalia Cáceres Arandia; Alyssa Moore; Zac Post; Spike Gildea; Melissa M. Baese-Berk

Yawarana (Cariban) is a critically endangered language of Venezuela, with 20–30 speakers and little published research beyond wordlists. In these wordlists, orthographic indications of stress and/or vowel length are inconsistent. As part of our language documentation project, we examine acoustic correlates of prominence in Yawarana. Many other languages in the Cariban family have a clear rhythmic stress system, with vowel lengthening and pitch excursion marking prominence; Yawarana does not mark prominence in the same way. Even so, in some situations, native speakers do appear to attend to stress (i.e., when correcting the pronunciation of language learners). Here, we ask what the acoustic correlates of prominence are, paying particular attention to intensity, pitch, and duration information. We are examining over 200 lexical items produced by four native speakers. These items are repeated in isolation, produced in carrier phrases, and produced in narratives and conversations. We compare measures of promi...


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

The effectiveness of audio-visual training on non-native English speech production and perception

Chia-Ni Shen; Melissa M. Baese-Berk

This project examines the effectiveness of audio-visual training on non-native English speech production and perception. Previous research utilizing audio-visual training has been employed in the field of speech pathology, showing positive outcomes in improving speech among dyslexic children. However, few studies to date have examined its use in second language learning, specifically bilabial and labiodental consonants (i.e., /b, p, m, f, v/), which are known to be challenging for many second language learners. The aim of this project is to explore audio-visual training across 3 native language groups, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, who are all English language learners. Participants undergo a training regimen designed to examine the effects of audio-visual and audio-only training. Performance before and after training is assessed via perception and production tests. We hypothesize that 1) production and perception performance will improve after two days of training and will improve more after audio-visual training and 2) production and perception improvement will rely heavily on a participants’ language background and known difficulties with specific bilabial and labiodental sounds. Results from this study will enrich understanding of the effectiveness of audio-visual training in second language learning.This project examines the effectiveness of audio-visual training on non-native English speech production and perception. Previous research utilizing audio-visual training has been employed in the field of speech pathology, showing positive outcomes in improving speech among dyslexic children. However, few studies to date have examined its use in second language learning, specifically bilabial and labiodental consonants (i.e., /b, p, m, f, v/), which are known to be challenging for many second language learners. The aim of this project is to explore audio-visual training across 3 native language groups, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, who are all English language learners. Participants undergo a training regimen designed to examine the effects of audio-visual and audio-only training. Performance before and after training is assessed via perception and production tests. We hypothesize that 1) production and perception performance will improve after two days of training and will improve more after au...


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

Parallel adjustment of phonetic targets in L2 English voice onset time

Eleanor Chodroff; Melissa M. Baese-Berk

The phonetic realization of any given speech sound varies considerably across speakers and languages. For instance, the voice onset time (VOT) of [kh] can range from ~40 ms to over 100 ms (Cho & Ladefoged, 1999). Within American English, recent research has demonstrated that the VOT of [kh] is also systematically and linearly related to the VOTs of [ph] and [th] (Chodroff & Wilson, 2017). In the present study, we investigated whether these relations were maintained across L2 speakers of English. L2 speech production could arise from independent acquisition (or adjustment) of the phonetic targets for each speech segment. Alternatively, the presence of covariation would indicate that properties of speech sounds may be altered in tandem. To investigate this, VOT data was obtained from a subset of the ALLSSTAR Corpus, which contained matched connected speech data from 26 L1 American English speakers and 114 L2 English speakers (22 unique L1s). Preliminary analysis revealed strong VOT covariation among aspirated stops across L2 speakers (rs = 0.67 to 0.74), and qualitatively equivalent covariation across L1 speakers (rs = 0.57 to 0.75). The observed covariation may arise from a universal principle of uniformity requiring near-identical implementation of the shared laryngeal feature value.The phonetic realization of any given speech sound varies considerably across speakers and languages. For instance, the voice onset time (VOT) of [kh] can range from ~40 ms to over 100 ms (Cho & Ladefoged, 1999). Within American English, recent research has demonstrated that the VOT of [kh] is also systematically and linearly related to the VOTs of [ph] and [th] (Chodroff & Wilson, 2017). In the present study, we investigated whether these relations were maintained across L2 speakers of English. L2 speech production could arise from independent acquisition (or adjustment) of the phonetic targets for each speech segment. Alternatively, the presence of covariation would indicate that properties of speech sounds may be altered in tandem. To investigate this, VOT data was obtained from a subset of the ALLSSTAR Corpus, which contained matched connected speech data from 26 L1 American English speakers and 114 L2 English speakers (22 unique L1s). Preliminary analysis revealed strong VOT covariation among aspirat...


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

Variability in speaking rate of native and non-native speakers

Melissa M. Baese-Berk; Kayla Walker; Ann R. Bradlow

The bulk of the work on non-native speech has focused on average differences between L1 and L2 speakers. However there is growing evidence that variability also plays an important role in distinguishing L1 from L2 speech. While some studies have demonstrated greater variability for non-native than native speech (e.g., Baese-Berk & Morrill, 2015; Wade et al., 2007), others have demonstrated that under some circumstances non-native speech maybe lessvariable and that variability in non-native speech may shift as a function of many factors, including task (Baese-Berk & Morrill, to appear; Baese-Berk, Morrill, & Bradlow, 2016) and L1-L2 pairing (Vaughn, Baese-Berk, & Idemaru, to appear). In this study, we ask how variability manifests in L1 and L2 speech by speakers from a variety of language backgrounds. Specifically, we ask whether a speaker whose L1 speaking rate is highly variable is also highly variable in their L2. We also ask whether variability in speaking rate in L1 or L2 differs as a function of task (e.g., read vs. spontaneous speech) and complexity of the task (e.g., more or less complicated reading passages). The results of this study will inform our understanding of the myriad complex factors that influence non-native speech. The bulk of the work on non-native speech has focused on average differences between L1 and L2 speakers. However there is growing evidence that variability also plays an important role in distinguishing L1 from L2 speech. While some studies have demonstrated greater variability for non-native than native speech (e.g., Baese-Berk & Morrill, 2015; Wade et al., 2007), others have demonstrated that under some circumstances non-native speech maybe lessvariable and that variability in non-native speech may shift as a function of many factors, including task (Baese-Berk & Morrill, to appear; Baese-Berk, Morrill, & Bradlow, 2016) and L1-L2 pairing (Vaughn, Baese-Berk, & Idemaru, to appear). In this study, we ask how variability manifests in L1 and L2 speech by speakers from a variety of language backgrounds. Specifically, we ask whether a speaker whose L1 speaking rate is highly variable is also highly variable in their L2. We also ask whether variability in speaking rate in L1 or L2 differs as a function of tas...


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

Do speakers maintain clear speech throughout natural conversation

Dae-yong Lee; Melissa M. Baese-Berk

Previous studies have shown that speakers tend to speak more clearly when they speak with a listener in adverse listening conditions in naturalistic settings. Most previous studies assumed that when speakers speak more clearly, they maintain the style throughout the conversation. However, a clear speech style deviates from speakers’ conversational speaking style, and extra effort is required in order to produce clear speech. Therefore, it is possible that speakers begin a conversation in a clear speaking style and revert back to a conversational style at some point during the conversation. This study aims to examine whether native English speakers use and maintain a clear speaking style while participating in a conversation with non-native speakers in naturalistic settings. Native English listeners will respond to sentences from naturalistic conversations. The sentences are from either a conversation between two native English speakers or a conversation between a native English speaker and a non-native English speaker. Intelligibility (typing what the listeners heard) and comprehensibility (rating how easy it is to understand the sentences) are measured to examine the usage of clear speech throughout the conversations. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the circumstances under which speakers use clear speech.Previous studies have shown that speakers tend to speak more clearly when they speak with a listener in adverse listening conditions in naturalistic settings. Most previous studies assumed that when speakers speak more clearly, they maintain the style throughout the conversation. However, a clear speech style deviates from speakers’ conversational speaking style, and extra effort is required in order to produce clear speech. Therefore, it is possible that speakers begin a conversation in a clear speaking style and revert back to a conversational style at some point during the conversation. This study aims to examine whether native English speakers use and maintain a clear speaking style while participating in a conversation with non-native speakers in naturalistic settings. Native English listeners will respond to sentences from naturalistic conversations. The sentences are from either a conversation between two native English speakers or a conversation between a native English speaker and a non-native En...


Journal of the Acoustical Society of America | 2018

Perception of non-native clear speech: The gap between speakers’ effort and actual increase in intelligibility

Misaki Kato; Melissa M. Baese-Berk

Non-native speakers are less effective at increasing intelligibility in clear speech than native speakers. However, examining only intelligibility may not fully address how non-native clear speech is perceived by listeners. We examined native English listeners’ perception of non-native English speakers’ clear speech in terms of intelligibility, comprehensibility, and speakers’ effort. Non-native English speakers produced English sentences in conversational and clear speaking styles. These productions were evaluated by 117 native English listeners. In an intelligibility task, listeners typed what they heard. In two rating tasks, listeners heard the same sentence produced by the same speaker in both a conversational and a clear speaking style. One group of listeners were asked to choose the sentence that was easier to understand (comprehensibility). Another group of listeners were asked to choose the sentence that the speaker was trying to say more clearly (speakers’ effort). The results showed that conversational-clear modifications did not result in increased intelligibility or comprehensibility. However, the rating task showed that listeners were sensitive to the speakers’ effort in the clear speaking style. These results suggest that non-native speakers’ effort to speak clearly may not necessarily result in intelligibility gains, but listeners may still be sensitive to this effort.Non-native speakers are less effective at increasing intelligibility in clear speech than native speakers. However, examining only intelligibility may not fully address how non-native clear speech is perceived by listeners. We examined native English listeners’ perception of non-native English speakers’ clear speech in terms of intelligibility, comprehensibility, and speakers’ effort. Non-native English speakers produced English sentences in conversational and clear speaking styles. These productions were evaluated by 117 native English listeners. In an intelligibility task, listeners typed what they heard. In two rating tasks, listeners heard the same sentence produced by the same speaker in both a conversational and a clear speaking style. One group of listeners were asked to choose the sentence that was easier to understand (comprehensibility). Another group of listeners were asked to choose the sentence that the speaker was trying to say more clearly (speakers’ effort). The results showed that convers...

Collaboration


Dive into the Melissa M. Baese-Berk's collaboration.

Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar

Amos Teo

University of Oregon

View shared research outputs
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar

Laura C. Dilley

Michigan State University

View shared research outputs
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Top Co-Authors

Avatar
Researchain Logo
Decentralizing Knowledge