When do combinatorial mechanisms apply in the production of inflected words?

A central question for theories of inflected word processing is to determine under what circumstances compositional procedures apply. Some accounts (e.g., the dual-mechanism model; Clahsen, 1999 Clahsen, H. 1999. Lexical entries and rules of language: A multidisciplinary study of German inflections. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 22: 991–1060. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) propose that compositional processes only apply to verbs that take productive affixes. For all other verbs, inflected forms are assumed to be stored in the lexicon in a nondecomposed manner. This account makes clear predictions about the consequences of disruption to the lexical access mechanisms involved in the spoken production of inflected forms. Briefly, it predicts that nonproductive forms (which require lexical access) should be more affected than productive forms (which, depending on the language task, may not). We tested these predictions through the detailed analysis of the spoken production of a German-speaking individual with an acquired lexical impairment resulting from a stroke. Analyses of response accuracy, error types, and frequency effects revealed that combinatorial processes are not restricted to verbs that take productive inflections. On this basis, we propose an alternative account, the stem-based assembly model (SAM), which posits that combinatorial processes may be available to all stems and not only to those that combine with productive affixes.     

Development of the German Speech Intelligibility Index for the treatment of oral cancer patients

ObjectivesThis study aimed at 1) adapting the well-established Speech Handicap Index (SHI) to German, 2) testing the suitability of the instrument for assessing speech-related quality of life, 3) comparing it to the German Voice-Handicap-Index (VHI), in order to support treatment of oral cancer patients who experience posttreatment speech difficulties that affect their quality of life.Material and methodsParticipants completed a web-based survey that employed a 2 (experienced problem: speech/articulation-related vs. voice-related) x 2 (SHI vs. VHI) between-subject experimental design, enabling it to distinguish between the experiences of voice and intelligibility impairments, and to determine the discriminatory ability of the two instruments.ResultsThe German SHI reliably assessed speech intelligibility and articulation-related Quality of life. While voice impairments were equally well assessed by both, VHI: M 2.48, SD 0.65; SHI: M 2.52, SD 0.63; only the latter appropriately registered intelligibility handicap in speech impairments (VHI: M 2.05, SD 0.70; SHI: 2.68, SD 0.73). The responsivity of the SHI in capturing the experienced handicap was significantly greater in the speech/articulation-impairment condition (p = .001).ConclusionThe German SHI is a reliable and responsive measure for speech intelligibility and articulation-related quality of life that should be chosen in preference to the VHI.     

Comparison of speech outcomes using type 2b intravelar veloplasty or furlow double-opposing Z plasty for soft palate repair of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to compare speech outcomes, fistula rates, and rates of secondary speech surgeries after palatoplasty using Furlow palatoplasty or type 2b intravelar veloplasty for soft palate repair.Patients and methodsPatients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who had either Furlow palatoplasty or intravelar veloplasty for soft palate repair were retrospectively evaluated for demographic and perioperative variables and speech outcomes. Fistula rate, secondary surgical intervention for improved speech results, and findings of speech assessment were further reviewed for the patients who met the inclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 76 patients, 36 in the Furlow palatoplasty group and 40 in the intravelar veloplasty group, were included in the study. In the speech assessment, nasalance values were statistically similar between the two groups. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in velopharyngeal motility (p = 0.103). The total rates of secondary surgeries and fistula were statistically similar between the groups (p = 0.347 and 0.105, respectively).ConclusionThe similar outcomes of speech and surgical evaluation between the two groups make the surgeon's preference determinant in the selection of the surgical technique for soft palate repair.     

吹气训练在74例腭裂患者语音治疗中的效果评价

目的 评价吹气训练在腭裂患者语音治疗中的效果。方法 选择符合纳入标准的腭裂咽成形术后表现为腭咽闭合不全（VPI）代偿性语音患者74例,平均年龄10.98岁,采用吹气训练行为疗法与汉语语音训练相结合原则,在运用屏气时吹水泡、吹气球训练基础上,进一步诱导辅音擦音、塞音送气方式。采用SPSS 21.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果 4~6岁组、7~12岁组和≥13岁组患者吹水泡平均时间由训练前的6.37、7.0和9.96 s分别提高到24.87、26.96和29.07 s,差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。训练前各组患者均无法完成吹气球动作,训练后各组吹气球成功率分别达到88.9%（4~6岁组）、84.0%（7~12岁组）和90.9%（≥13岁组）。训练前各组患者擦音f和s、塞音p均为脱落或弱化,训练后达到正常语音清晰度,差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。结论 屏气的吹气训练方法对增强腭咽闭合功能及塞音和擦音的送气诱导有显著效果。     

An Italian matrix sentence test for the evaluation of speech intelligibility in noise

Objective: Development of an Italian matrix sentence test for the assessment of speech intelligibility in noise. Design: The development of the test included the selection, recording, optimization with level adjustment, and evaluation of speech material. The training effect was assessed adaptively during the evaluation measurements with six lists of 20 sentences, using open- and closed-set response formats. Reference data were established for normal-hearing listeners with adaptive measurements. Equivalence of the test lists was investigated using the open-set response format at three signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Study sample: A total of 55 normal-hearing Italian mother-tongue listeners. Results: The evaluation measurements at fixed SNRs resulted in a mean speech reception threshold (SRT) of ? 7.3 ± 0.2 dB SNR and slope of 13.3 ± 1.2 %/dB. The major training effect of 1.5 dB was observed for the first two consecutive measurements. Mean SRTs of ? 6.7 ± 0.7 dB SNR and ? 7.4 ± 0.7 dB SNR were found from the third to the sixth adaptive measurement for open- and closed-set test response formats, respectively. Conclusions: A good agreement has been found between the SRTs and slope and those of other matrix tests. Since sentences are difficult to memorize, the Italian matrix test is suitable for repeated measurements.     

Segmental and suprasegmental features in speech perception in Cantonese‐speaking second graders: An ERP study

Using a multiple‐deviant oddball paradigm, this study examined second graders' brain responses to Cantonese speech. We aimed to address the question of whether a change in a consonant or lexical tone could be automatically detected by children. We measured auditory mismatch responses to place of articulation and voice onset time (VOT), reflecting segmental perception, as well as Cantonese lexical tones including level tone and contour tone, reflecting suprasegmental perception. The data showed that robust mismatch negativities (MMNs) were elicited by all deviants in the time window of 300–500 ms in second graders. Moreover, relative to the standard stimuli, the VOT deviant elicited a robust positive mismatch response, and the level tone deviant elicited a significant MMN in the time window of 150–300 ms. The findings suggest that Hong Kong second graders were sensitive to neural discriminations of speech sounds both at the segmental and suprasegmental levels.     

Cognitive processing load across a wide range of listening conditions: Insights from pupillometry

The pupil response to speech masked by interfering speech was assessed across an intelligibility range from 0% to 99% correct. In total, 37 participants aged between 18 and 36 years and with normal hearing were included. Pupil dilation was largest at intermediate intelligibility levels, smaller at high intelligibility, and slightly smaller at very difficult levels. Participants who reported that they often gave up listening at low intelligibility levels had smaller pupil dilations in these conditions. Participants who were good at reading masked text had relatively large pupil dilation when intelligibility was low. We conclude that the pupil response is sensitive to processing load, and possibly reflects cognitive overload in difficult conditions. It seems affected by methodological aspects and individual abilities, but does not reflect subjective ratings.