关键词: 嗓音起始时间, 范畴化知觉, 塞音感知, 语言背景

Abstract:

This study investigated the categorical perception of plosives in native and non-native Chinese speakers by manipulating Voice Onset Time (VOT) using a psychophysical experimental paradigm. The results showed no difference between native and non-native Chinese speakers in their 50% perceptual threshold for plosive discrimination. Slope analysis revealed that native speakers were more sensitive to VOT changes near the threshold, consistent with the characteristics of categorical perception of plosives. However, this phenomenon was not observed among non-native speakers, as their pattern of plosive judgments due to VOT variation was smoother. These findings highlight differences in plosive perception between native and non-native Chinese speakers, with non-natives being less sensitive to VOT cues for distinguishing plosives. This phenomenon should be taken into account in future Chinese language teaching for non-native speakers.

Key words: voice onset time, categorical perception, plosive perception, language background