THE PRODUCTION AND PERCEPTION OF SYLLABLE STRUCTURE

Much research on speech over the years has focused on uncovering examples of the nonlinear relationship between acoustics and perception (e.g., so-called 'categorical perception') and between articulation and acoustics [as described by Stevens's (1972) quantal theory]. In the present experiment we demonstrate that naturally occurring linear changes in articulation may also be perceived discontinuously. Specifically, linear changes in relative phase of glottal and oral movements are perceived as categorical changes in the location of syllable juncture. Thus, phase transitions observed during speech demarcate a change in syllabic organization.