Research in first language development draws disproportionately from nontone languages.
Such research is often presumed to reveal developmental universals in spite of the fact that …

Difficulty perceiving phonological contrasts in a second language (L2) can impede initial L2
lexical learning. Such is the case for English speakers learning tonal languages, like …

This study examined the differential effects of systematic perception and production practice
and the role of musical ability in learning Mandarin tone-words by native English-speaking …

Lexical tones are widely believed to be a formidable learning challenge for adult speakers of
nontonal languages. While difficulties—as well as rapid improvements—are well …

Background High talker variability (ie, multiple voices in the input) has been found effective
in training nonnative phonetic contrasts in adults. A small number of studies suggest that …

Mandarin Chinese tones are known to be difficult for second language learners. A large
body of research has examined non-native perception of tones, and may provide useful and …

Some prior investigations suggest that tone perception is flexible, reasonably independent
of native phonology, whereas others suggest it is constrained by native phonology. We …

This article reviews research on when acoustic‐phonetic variability facilitates, inhibits, or
does not impact perceptual development for spoken language, to illuminate mechanisms by …

This chapter provides an overview of major theories and findings in the field of second
language (L2) phonetics and phonology. Four main conceptual frameworks are discussed …

The speech register that adults especially caregivers use when interacting with infants and
toddlers, that is, infant‐directed speech (IDS) or baby talk, has been reported to facilitate …