The paper seeks to replicate the effects of the three-point distributional training paradigm found by Chládková et al. (2020, under review), while using an acoustic dimension which allows for the...Show moreThe paper seeks to replicate the effects of the three-point distributional training paradigm found by Chládková et al. (2020, under review), while using an acoustic dimension which allows for the direct comparison of two second-language perceptual learning scenarios: category creation and boundary shift (i.e. NEW and SIMILAR sounds under the L2LP framework (Escudero, 2009)). To this end, an EEG-experiment was run using a pre-test – training – post-test design. The pre- and post-tests involved a passive-oddball paradigm, whereby participants (Dutch native speakers without formal English phonetic training) heard a sequence of repetitive synthetic vowel sounds, where the standard was /ɛ/ (which exists in both Dutch and English), and the deviants were /ɪ/ (which also exists in both Dutch and English) and /æ/ (which only exists English). Between the pre- and post-tests, participants underwent distributional training of either the /æ/-/ɛ/ or the /ɪ/-/ɛ/ contrast, following a three-point paradigm, as set out by Chládková et al. (2020, under review). The /æ/-/ɛ/ group therefore constitutes a case of category creation, whereas the /ɪ/-/ɛ/ group constitutes only a case of boundary shift. The electrophysiological data was intended to measure the mismatch negativity (MMN) response – an ERP component which indicates perceived deviation from a repetitive sequence of sounds (Näätänen & Kreegipuu, 2012). It is expected that in the pre-test, the participants will distinguish the /ɪ/-/ɛ/ contrast, but not the /æ/-/ɛ/ contrast, since the latter does not exist in their L1 (Dutch). In the post-test, it is expected that the /ɪ/-/ɛ/ boundary will have shifted as a result of training, although it is to be discovered whether the /æ/ category will be created. It was found that the /ɪ/-/ɛ/ trained group were able to shift their /ɪ/-/ɛ/ boundary as a result of the training. For the category creation scenario, however, no significant effects of training were found. Given the very small sample size in this experiment, however (n per training group = 5), these results must be viewed with caution.Show less
