Cited by 52Neuroscience and Music PerceptionPhonetics and Phonology ResearchNeurobiology of Language and Bilingualism

Linguistic effect on speech perception observed at the brainstem

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Zhao, T. Christina, Kuhl, Patricia K.·2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Significance: Early linguistic experience affects perception and cortical processing of speech, even in infants. The current study examined whether linguistic effects extend to brainstem speech encoding, where responses are rapid, automatic, and preattentive. We focused on transient consonants and measured perception behaviorally and the corresponding complex auditory brainstem response (cABR) onset using simultaneous electroencephalography/magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG) in native Spanish and English speakers. We demonstrate that the latency of an EEG-cABR onset peak predicts consonant perception and that the perception differs according to language background. MEG-cABR analysis demonstrates deep sources for the onset, providing complimentary support for a brainstem origin. Effects of early linguistic experience on speech perception can be observed at the earlier stage of speech encoding at the brainstem.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1800186115

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  • In adults, the cABR is malleable by higher-level processes, such as early language and music experience, as well as short-term training.

    “In adults, instead of a passive relay for information up through the auditory system, the cABR has been shown to be malleable by higher-level processes, such as early language and music experience, as well as short-term training [42–44].”

    From Tracking Acquisition of Language in Kids (TALK) study protocol: A longitudinal investigation of infants at high vs. low risk for atypical speech and language development (2026) · cites this paper as [44]

    The Abstract (page not provided) reports effects of early language experience on the cABR frequency-following response and says early music training enhances that response in adults. The Discussion reports language-related cABR onset differences in adult speakers. It does not show that short-term training changes adults’ cABR; its short-term-experience examples concern animals and infants. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [3]Abramson AS Lisker L 1970 Discriminability along the voicing continuum: Cross language tests Proceedings of the Sixth International Congress of Phonetic Sciences Academia Prague 569 573

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Authors
Zhao, T. C., & Kuhl, P. K.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Kuhl, Patricia K.
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2018-08-13
Volume
115
Issue
35
Pages
8716-8721
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2887933483
Cited by
52
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6
FWCI
3.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U54HD083091)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Music Perception
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Phonetics and Phonology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
Keywords
language experience, speech perception, auditory brainstem, consonant perception, cross-cultural comparison, brain-behavior relationship, frequency-following response, magnetoencephalography, EEG
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain Stem, Female, Humans, Language, Male, Pitch Perception, Speech Perception

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