Abstract
The pronunciation of foreign phonemes is assumed to involve auditory feedback control processes that compare vocalized phonemes to target sounds. The electrophysiological correlate of this process is known as the speaking-induced suppression (SIS) of early auditory evoked activity. To gain insight into the neural processes that mediate the learning of foreign phoneme pronunciation, we recorded event-related potentials (ERP) when participants (N=19) pronounced either native or foreign phonemes. Analyses of single-trial ERPs revealed no differences in SIS between foreign and native phonemes in early time-windows (approx. 85–290 ms). In contrast, the amplitude of the fronto-centrally distributed late slow wave (LSW, 320–440 ms) was modulated by the pronunciation of foreign phonemes. Whereas the self-produced native phonemes evoked a constant amplitude LSW, the LSW evoked by self-vocalized foreign phonemes shifted towards more positive amplitudes across the experiment. Importantly, the LSW amplitude correlated positively with the improved pronunciation of the foreign phoneme. These results suggest that the LSW may reflect higher-order internal monitoring processes that signal successful pronunciation and enable adjustments to future vocalization.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.