Neural correlates of processing second language speech acts: effects of L2 speech acts awareness and experience

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20007
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0102:Literature, linguistics, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Cui Haining 東北大学, 国際文化研究科, GSICSフェロー (20906052)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: accented speech / prosody / foreign language / fMRI / speech processing / politeness / speech act

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The current project uses fMRI techniques to investigate how the brain decodes foreign-accented emotional speech and whether awareness and familiarity with the accent alter the listener’s ability to understand the affective-prosodic meaning of speech acts, focusing on Japanese honorific speech acts. We found that the right superior temporal cortex integrates speech accentedness (standard vs. accented) and socio-affective intentions (polite vs. impolite honorific tones) during speech comprehension. Moreover, right medial temporal region activation correlated with perceived accent familiarity for utterances produced in the foreign accent, suggesting this brain structure is associated with the recognition of familiar speakers during speech comprehension. These findings were presented at the SNL 2022 conference.

Free Research Field

neuropragmatics

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

This research clarifies how the brain responds to emotional speech in standard and accented voices, shedding light on the neural basis of language comprehension. It aims to improve communication in multicultural societies and enhance understanding of second language acquisition and processing.