Publications

	Research
Home Background Research Teaching Links Language & Brain Lab Online Speech Lab	Projects Funding Publications Presentations Projects Audio-visual integration in speech processing and learning. This project investigates the integration of auditory and visual (AV) information in the processing and learning of nonnative speech. Our goal is to explore the role of linguistic experience and the neural mechanisms involved in multimodal nonnative speech learning. Specifically, this study examines (1) how nonnative speakers rely on auditory, visual, or integrated AV information to process nonnative speech, and if nonnative AV processing patterns differ from the native patterns; and (2) if enhancement (such as training) of auditory and/or visual information can facilitate learning, and (3) how learning-induced AV integration is instantiated in the brain. The testing techniques include behavioural testing and functional neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG). The processing and learning of pitch in speech. Using neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and behavioral testing methods, this project addresses how linguistic pitch is processed in the brain, and how its neural organization may be affected by linguistic and non-linguistic experience and learning. The goal of this study is to investigate the extent to which neural processing in second language (L2) learning is influenced by linguistic experience, or reflects a human hardwired ability to process general physical properties. We explore (1) if L2 prosodic processing (e.g. tone, intonation) is determined by linguistic functions or by the temporal frame in which pitch occurs; (2) whether different types of learning input (linguistic or acoustic) alter L2 learners' patterns of prosodic processing. Additionally, we will compare adults' and children's pitch learning patterns, to address the question of age of L2 acquisition on prosodic learning, and the associated learning-induced brain plasticity. [speech processing, learning, cognitive neuroscience, pitch, neuroimaging, fMRI, EEG.] Experiencing pitch: Neuro-processing of music and speech. The goal of this project is to assess how linguistic and musical experience interact and affect the cognitive neural basis of pitch processing and its development. Music and speech are unique in their use of hierarchical systems of pitch, making them important domains for assessing the processing of pitch. Brain functions involved in music and speech perception also have a degree of cognitive neurological overlap. We address (1) how musical and linguistic experience may interactively affect pitch processing, (2) how music experience affects pitch processing in speech, in a native language where linguistic experience is well established, versus a nonnative language or in language development where pitch may not yet be an established part of the linguistic system, and (3) inversely, how the degree of linguistic experience and the role of pitch in a language carries over to the neuroprocessing of pitch in music. Linguistic and mathematical processing in native and second languages. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study examined how mathematical problems and phonetic contrasts are processed in one's native language (L1) and in a second language (L2). The question addressed is whether mathematical operations are language-dependent. In particular, we examine (1) whether language-related brain areas are used when completing mathematical tasks, and how brain activation patterns differ in mathematical and phonetic processing, and (2) whether L2 users employ the same or alternative neurocircuitry to perform mathematical operations in L1 and L2, and how that differs from phonetic processing in the two languages. [language, mathematics, bilingual, brain, fMRI, neuroimaging] Perceived nativeness of temporal adjustments in speech. Native Mandarin Chinese speakers' productions of English consonant-vowel (CV) syllables have shown syllable-internal temporal adjustments in the direction of native (English)-like CVs (Wang & Behne 2004). This research investigates whether these temporal adjustments affect perceived nativeness. On-line Speech Lab: A collaborative tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. Online Speech Lab is intended to be an online laboratory site and meeting point for speech researchers and students of acoustic phonetics and speech perception. The site is envisaged to have a database containing speech materials, experiment setups they can be used with, and results from experiments that have been run and then logged back to the database. Some experiments are prepared and ready for use as they are. Experiments can also be composed using the available speech materials and experimental setups, or by uploading new materials or experimental setups to the site. The site is being prepared in collaboration with a group of researchers working with native speakers and/or learners of a variety of languages. The site will enable cross-language research possibilities, despite limited local access to native speakers/listeners of a language. As the site develops, we hope it will promote comparable standards for cross-language research, integrate student projects with active research, and promote direct student participation in the full experimental process from planning experiments to analyzing and evaluating results. Funding Research Grant: 2006 - 2010 Title: The processing and learning of pitch in speech Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Dawn Behne, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; 2. Qi Dong, Institute of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Beijing Normal University. Research Grant: 2006 - 2010 Title: Audio-visual integration in speech processing and learning Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, Collaborator, fMRI Research Center, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior; 2. Dawn Behne, Collaborator, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Research Grant: 2006 - 2007 Project Title: Experiencing pitch: Neuro-processing of music and pitch Funding: Norwegian Research Council Involvement: Joint Investigator. Collaboration: Dawn Behne, PI, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Equipment Grant: 2007 Title: Cognitive neuroscience of language & learning - Implementation with electroencypholography (EEG) Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Jeff Pelletier, Departments of Philosophy and Linguistics; 2. Nancy Hedberg, Department of Linguistics; 3. Mark Blair, Department of Psychology; 4. Ghassan Harmeneh, Department of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University. Equipment Grant: 2006 Title: Eye-tracking equipment Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Involvement: Joint Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Mark Blair (PI), Department of Psychology, 2. Jeff Pelletier, Departments of Philosophy and Linguistics, 3. Nancy Hedberg, Department of Linguistics, Simon Fraser University. Research Grant: 2004 - 2006 Title: Audiovisual information in speech processing and learning Funding: SSHRC Institutional Grant, Simon Fraser Universtiy Involvement: Principal Investigator Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, Collaborator, fMRI Research Centre, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University. Research Grant: 2003 - 2004 Title: A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of second language speech learning Funding: President Research Grant, Simon Fraser University Involvement: Principal Investigator Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, fMRI Research Centre, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University; 2. Qi Dong, Institute for Brain and Cognitive Neurosciences, Beijing Normal University. Publications Journal Articles and Book Chapters Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2009). Influence of native language phonetic system on audio-visual speech perception. Journal of Phonetics, 37, 344-356. [paper ] Alm, M., Behne, D., Y. Wang, and Eg, R. (2009). Audio-visual identification of place of articulation and voicing in white and babble noise. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126 (1), 377-387. Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2008). Linguistic experience and audio-visual perception of nonnative fricatives. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 124 (3), 1716-1726. [paper] Wang, Y., Lin, L., Kuhl, P., and Hirsch, J. (2007). Mathematical and linguistic processing differs between native and second languages: an fMRI study, Brain Imaging and Behavior 1.3, 68-82. [paper] Zhang, Y. and Wang, Y. (2007). Neural plasticity in speech acquisition and learning. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 10, 147-160. [paper] Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2007). Temporal remnants from Mandarin in nonnative English speech. In O. Bohn and M. Munro (eds.), Language Experience in Second Language Speech Learning, in Honor of James E. Flege, John Benjamins, pp. 167-184. [paper] Sereno, J.A. and Wang, Y. (2007). Behavioral and cortical effects of learning a second language. In O. Bohn and M. Munro (eds.), Language Experience in Second Language Speech Learning, in Honor of James E. Flege, John Benjamins, pp.239-258. Wang, Y., Jongman, A, and Sereno, J.A. (2006). L2 acquisition and processing of Mandarin Chinese tones. in P. Li, E. Bates, L.H. Tan, and O. Tseng (eds.), The Handbook of East Asian Psycholinguistics, Cambridge University Press, pp.250-256. [paper] Jongman, A., Wang, Y., Moore , C., and Sereno, J.A. (2006). Perception and production of Mandarin Chinese tones. in P. Li, E. Bates, L.H. Tan, and O. Tseng (eds.), The Handbook of East Asian Psycholinguistics, Cambridge University Press, pp.209-217. [paper] Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J.A. (2004). The role of linguistic experience in the hemispheric processing of lexical tone. Journal of Applied Psycholinguistics 25, 449-466. [paper] Xue, G., Dong, Q, Jin, Z., Zhang, L., and Wang, Y. (2004). An fMRI study with semantic access in low proficiency second language learners. NeuroReport 15, 791-796. [paper] Wang, Y., Sereno, J., Jongman, A., and Hirsch, J. (2003). fMRI evidence for cortical modification during learning of Mandarin lexical tone. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 15, 7, 1019-1027. [paper] Wang, Y., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (2003). Acoustic and perceptual evaluation of Mandarin tone productions before and after perceptual training. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America , 113, 1033-1043. [paper] Jongman, A., Wang, Y., and Kim, B. (2003). Contributions of semantic and facial information to perception of non-sibilant fricatives. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 46, 1367-1377. [paper] Wang, Y., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (2001). Dichotic perception of lexical tones by Mandarin and American listeners. Brain and Language 78, 332-348. [paper] Wang, Y., Spence, M., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1999). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 106, 3649-3658. [paper] [Review: Nature Science Update] Conference Proceedings and Working Papers Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2008). Effects of training modality on AV perception of nonnative speech contrasts. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver. Tu, J., Wu, X., and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of Japanese pitch accent by native Japanese and English listeners. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver. Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Belsby, S-O, Kaasa, S., Simonsen, and Back, K. (2008). Visual field advantage in the perception of audiovisual speech segments. Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing 2008 , Tangalooma, Australia. Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Feehan, A. (2007). Effect of native language experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives by Korean and Mandarin natives. In J. Vroomen, M. Swerts and E. Krahmer (Eds.): Proceedings of International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing 2007. Behne, D., Wang, Y., Alm, M., Arntsen, I., Eg, R., and Valso, A. (2007). Changes in audio-visual speech processing during adulthood. In J. Vroomen, M. Swerts and E. Krahmer (Eds.): Proceedings of International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing 2007. Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jiang, H. & Danyluc, C. (2006). Native and Nonnative Audio-visual Perception of English Fricatives in Quiet and Café-noise Backgrounds. Proceedings of the ninth International Conference on Spoken Language Processing. Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2004). A collaborative tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. Proceedings of the 18th International Congress on Acoustics. [paper] Wang, Y. and Kuhl, P.K. (2003). Evaluating the “critical period” hypothesis: Perceptual learning of Mandarin tones in American adults and American children at 6, 10, and 14 years of age. Proceedings of the 15 th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences, 1537-1540. [paper] Wang, Y. (2000). Hemispheric processing of lexical tones by Mandarin and American listeners. In M. Przezdziecki and Y. Wang (eds.), Working Papers of the Cornell Phonetics Laboratory , 13, 182-207. Wang, Y., Sereno, J., Jongman, A., and Hirsch, J. (2000). Cortical reorganization associated with the acquisition of Mandarin tones by American learners: An fMRI study. Proceedings of the 6 th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , II, 511-514. Jongman, A., Wang, Y., and Sereno, J.A. (2000). Acoustic and perceptual properties of English fricatives. Proceedings of the 6 th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , I, 536-539. Wang, Y, Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A pilot study. In N. Adisasmito-Smith, W. Ham, and L. Lavoie (eds.), Working Papers of the Cornell Phonetics Laboratory , 12, 243-254. Wang, Y, Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A first report. In P. Kuhl and L. Crum (eds.), Joint Proceedings of the 16 th International Congress on Acoustics and the 135 th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , 2979-2980. Presentations Conference presentations • Wang, Y., Behne, D., Cooper, A. and Tu, J. (2009) Domain-specific processing of Mandarin tone. 157th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Portland, OR. • Cooper, A. and Wang, Y. (2009). Effects of linguistic and musical experience on non-native perception of Thai vowel duration. 2nd Acoustical Society of America Workshop on Speech: Cross-language speech perception and variations in linguistic experience, Portland, OR. • Wang, Y., Behne, D., Cooper, A., Jiang, H., Leung, N., and Tu, J. (2008). Effects of training modality on audio-visual perception of place of articulation and voicing in nonnative speech. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association, Vancouver. • Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Belsby, S-O, Kaasa, S., Simonsen, and Back, K. (2008). Visual field advantage in the perception of audiovisual speech segments. International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing 2008 , Tangalooma, Australia. • Tu, J., Wu, X. and Wang, Y. (2008). Hemispheric processing of pitch accent in Japanese by native and non-native listeners. 156 th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Miami. • Tu, J., Wu, X. and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of Japanese pitch accent by native Japanese and English listeners. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver. • Wu, X., Tu, J., and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of pitch accent in Japanese by native Japanese and Mandarin Chinese listeners. The 2 nd International Conference on East Asian Linguistics, Vancouver. • Wang, Y ., Behne, D., Cooper, A., Jiang, H., Leung, N. and Tu, J. (2008). Effects of auditory, visual and audio-visual training on nonnative perception of English fricatives. Acoustics 2008, Paris. • Wang, Y. (2008). Effects of linguistic experience on audio-visual perception of nonnative fricatives. Oral presentation at the SFU Applied Linguistics Symposium on L2 Perception and Production , Vancouver, Canada. • Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Belsby, S-O, Kaasa, S., Simonsen, and Back, K. (2008). Visual field advantage in the perception of audiovisual speech segments. International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing 2008 , Tangalooma, Australia. • Wang, Y. , Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Fe ehan, A. (2007). Ef fect of native language experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives by Korean and Mandarin natives. International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing, Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands. • Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Alm, M., Arntsen, I., Eg, R., and Valso, A. (2007). Changes in audio-visual speech processing during adulthood. International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing , Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands. • Wang, Y. , Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Danylu ck, C. (2006). Role of linguistic experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives in quiet and noise backgrounds. The 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu. • Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2006). Audiovisual per ception of voicing with age in quiet and cafe noise. The 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu. • Behne, D., Rø, M ., and Wang, Y. (2006). Ef fects of musical experience on linguistic pitch perception training. Oral presentation at the 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu. • Rø, M., Behne, D., and Wang, Y. (2006). The effects of musical experience on linguistic pitch perception: A comparison of Norwegian professional singers and instrumentalists. Oral presentation at the 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu. • Wang, Y. , Behne, Jiang, H., and Danyluck, C. (2006). Native and Nonnative Audio-visual Perception of English Fricatives in Quiet and Café-noise Backgrounds. Interspeech 06 , Pittsburgh. • Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2005). Effects of musical and linguistic experience on hemispheric processing of prosody. The International Speech Communication Association (ISCA) Workshop on Plasticity in Speech Perception , London. • Wang, Y. , Hirsch, J., Sy, M., Lin, L., and Sedora, N. (2005). Ph onetic and mathematical processing in native and second language. 1st Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Workshop on Second Language Speech Learning , Vancouver, Canada. • Wang, Y. and Beh ne, D. (2005). Perceived nativeness and sensitivity to temporal adjustments in speech. 149th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Vancouver, Canada. • Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2005). Online speech lab: a collaborative tool for cross-language research. 1 st Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Workshop on Second Language Speech Learning , Vancouver, Canada. • Wang, Y. , Xue, G., Dong, Q., Hao, J., and Li, K. (2004). An fMRI study of the temporal and linguistic factors in prosodic processing. 28th International Congress of Psychology , Beijing, China. • Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2004) Perceived nativeness of temporal adjustments in speech. 28th International Congress of Psychology , Beijing, China. • Lin, L.J., Wang, Y. , Imada, T., and Kuhl, P.K. (2004). Influence of Mandarin tone exposure on the processing of intonation by 14-year-old American adolescents: an fMRI study. 147th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , New York. • Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2004). Temporal patterns of native Mandarin Chinese speakers' productions of English stop-vowel syllable. 147th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , New York. • Lin, L.J., Wang, Y. , Imada, T. and Kuhl, P.K. (2004). Cortical activation patterns after exposure to Mandarin Chinese tones: an fMRI study on American 14-year olds. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 11th Annual Meeting , San Francisco. • Behne, D. with Wang, Y. (2004). A shared tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. 18th International Congress on Acoustics , Kyoto, Japan. • Wang, Y. and P.K. Kuhl (2003). Evaluating the “critical period” hypothesis: Perceptual learning of Mandarin tones in American adults and American children at 6, 10, and 14 years of age. 15th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences , Barcelona, Spain. • Wang, Y., Lin, L.J. and Kuhl, P.K. (2003). Cortical activation reorganization during learning of linguistic prosody: an fMRI study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 10th Annual Meeting , New York. • Sereno, J., Wang, Y. , Jongman, A., and J. Hirsch (2003). Cortical effects of learning a second language. Oral presentation at the 4th International Symposium on Bilingualism, Arizona State University, Arizona. • Wang, Y. , Sereno, A., Jongman, A., Hirsch, J. and Kuhl, P.K. (2002). Cortical effects of second language learning by adults and children. Oral presentation at the International Symposium on Cognitive Neuroscience , Hong Kong. • Wang, Y. , Jongman, A. and Sereno, J. (2001). Acoustic analysis of American listeners' Mandarin tone productions before and after perceptual training. 142th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. • Wang, Y. , Sereno, J., Jongman, A. and Hirsch, J. (2000). Cortical reorganization associated with the acquisition of Mandarin tones by American learners: An fMRI study. 6th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , Beijing, China. • Jongman , A., Sereno, J., and Wang, Y. (2000). Acoustic and perceptual properties of English fricatives. 6th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , Beijing, China. • Sereno, J., Wang, Y. , Jongman, A. and Hirsch, J. (2000). Native and non-native speech perception and implications for the learning of non-native contrasts. Workshop on the Nature of Speech Perception, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. • Wang, Y. , Spence, M., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1999). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: Transfer to production. 137th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Second Convention of the European Acoustics Association , Berlin, Germany. • Jongman, A., Wang, Y. , Spence, M., and Kim, B. (1999). Perception of English fricatives. 137th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the 2nd Convention of the European Acoustics Association , Berlin, Germany. • Wang, Y. , Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A first report. 135th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , Seattle, USA. Invited talks • Wang, Y . (2006). fMRI and second language acquisition. Workshop on New Technologies and Second Language Acquisition Research, The 8 th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition, Banff, Canada. • Wang, Y . (2006). Brain and behavioral correlates of second language speech learning. Linguistics Department, University of Hawaii , Hawaii. • Wang, Y . ( 2006). Functional imaging research on language processing and learning. Symposium on behavioral neuroscience and functional imaging: A vision for SFU, Vancouver. • Wang, Y . ( 2006). Exploring the brain functions for language and learning. SFU Cognitive Science Research Talk Series: Defining Cognitive Science, Vancouver. • Wang, Y . (2006). Behavioral and brain correlates of second language speech learning. Linguistics Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada. • Wang, Y. ( 2003). Learning and processing suprasegmentals. Linguistics Institute, Academia Sinica , Beijing, China. • Wang, Y. ( 2003). Neurophysiological evidence for second language learning. Institute for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Normal University , Beijing, China. • Wang, Y. ( 2003). Behavioral and neuro-imaging studies of Mandarin tone processing and learning. Center for Cognitive Science Colloquia, University at Buffalo, State University of New York , New York. • Wang, Y. and Kuhl, P.K. (2002). Reinterpreting the Critical Period Hypothesis for language. International Workshop on Sensory Systems Plasticity, RIKEN neuronal function research group , Tokyo. • Wang, Y. ( 2002). Behavioral and neural correlates of second language processing and learning. Sophia University , Tokyo. • Wang, Y. ( 2002). Behavioral and neural correlates of Mandarin tone processing and learning. University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Buffalo, New York. • Wang, Y. ( 2001). Perception, production, and neurophysiological processing of lexical tone by native and non-native speakers. Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, University of Washington , Seattle. • Wang, Y . (2001). A cross-linguistic study of suprasegmental processing and acquisition. Linguistics Colloquium, University of Washington , Seattle. • Wang, Y. ( 2001). Acquisition and processing of lexical tone. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Related Professions, University of Alabama , Birmingham, Alabama. • Wang, Y. (2001). Processing of Mandarin tones. Linguistic Colloquy, The University of Kansas , Lawrence, Kansas. • Wang, Y. ( 2000). Hemispheric processing of linguistic tones: Results from dichotic listening and fMRI. Forum on Speech Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway. • Sereno, J.A., Wang, Y., and Jongman, A. (1999). Suprasegmental learning. Mid-America Linguistics Conference , Lawrence, Kansas. • Wang, Y. ( 1999). Perceptual training of Mandarin tones and its effects on production. Forum on Speech Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway. • Sereno , J., Wang, Y ., and Jongman, A. (1999). Native and non-native perception of tone. International Symposium on Future Directions in Cross-Language and Second Language Speech Perception Research , Sandbjerg, Denmark. • Wang, Y. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A preliminary study. Annual Cognitive Studies Graduate Student Research Forum, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York.

Research

Projects

Audio-visual integration in speech processing and learning. This project investigates the integration of auditory and visual (AV) information in the processing and learning of nonnative speech. Our goal is to explore the role of linguistic experience and the neural mechanisms involved in multimodal nonnative speech learning. Specifically, this study examines (1) how nonnative speakers rely on auditory, visual, or integrated AV information to process nonnative speech, and if nonnative AV processing patterns differ from the native patterns; and (2) if enhancement (such as training) of auditory and/or visual information can facilitate learning, and (3) how learning-induced AV integration is instantiated in the brain. The testing techniques include behavioural testing and functional neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG).

The processing and learning of pitch in speech. Using neuroimaging (fMRI, EEG) and behavioral testing methods, this project addresses how linguistic pitch is processed in the brain, and how its neural organization may be affected by linguistic and non-linguistic experience and learning. The goal of this study is to investigate the extent to which neural processing in second language (L2) learning is influenced by linguistic experience, or reflects a human hardwired ability to process general physical properties. We explore (1) if L2 prosodic processing (e.g. tone, intonation) is determined by linguistic functions or by the temporal frame in which pitch occurs; (2) whether different types of learning input (linguistic or acoustic) alter L2 learners' patterns of prosodic processing. Additionally, we will compare adults' and children's pitch learning patterns, to address the question of age of L2 acquisition on prosodic learning, and the associated learning-induced brain plasticity.
[speech processing, learning, cognitive neuroscience, pitch, neuroimaging, fMRI, EEG.]

Experiencing pitch: Neuro-processing of music and speech. The goal of this project is to assess how linguistic and musical experience interact and affect the cognitive neural basis of pitch processing and its development. Music and speech are unique in their use of hierarchical systems of pitch, making them important domains for assessing the processing of pitch. Brain functions involved in music and speech perception also have a degree of cognitive neurological overlap. We address (1) how musical and linguistic experience may interactively affect pitch processing, (2) how music experience affects pitch processing in speech, in a native language where linguistic experience is well established, versus a nonnative language or in language development where pitch may not yet be an established part of the linguistic system, and (3) inversely, how the degree of linguistic experience and the role of pitch in a language carries over to the neuroprocessing of pitch in music.

Linguistic and mathematical processing in native and second languages. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study examined how mathematical problems and phonetic contrasts are processed in one's native language (L1) and in a second language (L2). The question addressed is whether mathematical operations are language-dependent. In particular, we examine (1) whether language-related brain areas are used when completing mathematical tasks, and how brain activation patterns differ in mathematical and phonetic processing, and (2) whether L2 users employ the same or alternative neurocircuitry to perform mathematical operations in L1 and L2, and how that differs from phonetic processing in the two languages.
[language, mathematics, bilingual, brain, fMRI, neuroimaging]

Perceived nativeness of temporal adjustments in speech. Native Mandarin Chinese speakers' productions of English consonant-vowel (CV) syllables have shown syllable-internal temporal adjustments in the direction of native (English)-like CVs (Wang & Behne 2004). This research investigates whether these temporal adjustments affect perceived nativeness.

On-line Speech Lab: A collaborative tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. Online Speech Lab is intended to be an online laboratory site and meeting point for speech researchers and students of acoustic phonetics and speech perception. The site is envisaged to have a database containing speech materials, experiment setups they can be used with, and results from experiments that have been run and then logged back to the database. Some experiments are prepared and ready for use as they are. Experiments can also be composed using the available speech materials and experimental setups, or by uploading new materials or experimental setups to the site. The site is being prepared in collaboration with a group of researchers working with native speakers and/or learners of a variety of languages. The site will enable cross-language research possibilities, despite limited local access to native speakers/listeners of a language. As the site develops, we hope it will promote comparable standards for cross-language research, integrate student projects with active research, and promote direct student participation in the full experimental process from planning experiments to analyzing and evaluating results.

Funding

Research Grant: 2006 - 2010
Title: The processing and learning of pitch in speech
Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Dawn Behne, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; 2. Qi Dong, Institute of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Beijing Normal University.

Research Grant: 2006 - 2010
Title: Audio-visual integration in speech processing and learning
Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, Collaborator, fMRI Research Center, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior; 2. Dawn Behne, Collaborator, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Research Grant: 2006 - 2007
Project Title: Experiencing pitch: Neuro-processing of music and pitch
Funding: Norwegian Research Council
Involvement: Joint Investigator. Collaboration: Dawn Behne, PI, Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Equipment Grant: 2007
Title: Cognitive neuroscience of language & learning - Implementation with electroencypholography (EEG)
Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Involvement: Principal Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Jeff Pelletier, Departments of Philosophy and Linguistics; 2. Nancy Hedberg, Department of Linguistics; 3. Mark Blair, Department of Psychology; 4. Ghassan Harmeneh, Department of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University.

Equipment Grant: 2006
Title: Eye-tracking equipment
Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Involvement: Joint Investigator. Collaboration: 1. Mark Blair (PI), Department of Psychology, 2. Jeff Pelletier, Departments of Philosophy and Linguistics, 3. Nancy Hedberg, Department of Linguistics, Simon Fraser University.

Research Grant: 2004 - 2006
Title: Audiovisual information in speech processing and learning
Funding: SSHRC Institutional Grant, Simon Fraser Universtiy
Involvement: Principal Investigator Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, Collaborator, fMRI Research Centre, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University.

Research Grant: 2003 - 2004
Title: A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of second language speech learning
Funding: President Research Grant, Simon Fraser University
Involvement: Principal Investigator Collaboration: 1. Joy Hirsch, fMRI Research Centre, Centre for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University; 2. Qi Dong, Institute for Brain and Cognitive Neurosciences, Beijing Normal University.

Publications

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2009). Influence of native language phonetic system on audio-visual speech perception. Journal of Phonetics, 37, 344-356. [paper ]

Alm, M., Behne, D., Y. Wang, and Eg, R. (2009). Audio-visual identification of place of articulation and voicing in white and babble noise. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 126 (1), 377-387.

Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2008). Linguistic experience and audio-visual perception of nonnative fricatives. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 124 (3), 1716-1726. [paper]

Wang, Y., Lin, L., Kuhl, P., and Hirsch, J. (2007). Mathematical and linguistic processing differs between native and second languages: an fMRI study, Brain Imaging and Behavior 1.3, 68-82. [paper]

Zhang, Y. and Wang, Y. (2007). Neural plasticity in speech acquisition and learning. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 10, 147-160. [paper]

Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2007). Temporal remnants from Mandarin in nonnative English speech. In O. Bohn and M. Munro (eds.), Language Experience in Second Language Speech Learning, in Honor of James E. Flege, John Benjamins, pp. 167-184. [paper]

Sereno, J.A. and Wang, Y. (2007). Behavioral and cortical effects of learning a second language. In O. Bohn and M. Munro (eds.), Language Experience in Second Language Speech Learning, in Honor of James E. Flege, John Benjamins, pp.239-258.

Wang, Y., Jongman, A, and Sereno, J.A. (2006). L2 acquisition and processing of Mandarin Chinese tones. in P. Li, E. Bates, L.H. Tan, and O. Tseng (eds.), The Handbook of East Asian Psycholinguistics, Cambridge University Press, pp.250-256. [paper]

Jongman, A., Wang, Y., Moore , C., and Sereno, J.A. (2006). Perception and production of Mandarin Chinese tones. in P. Li, E. Bates, L.H. Tan, and O. Tseng (eds.), The Handbook of East Asian Psycholinguistics, Cambridge University Press, pp.209-217. [paper]

Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J.A. (2004). The role of linguistic experience in the hemispheric processing of lexical tone. Journal of Applied Psycholinguistics 25, 449-466. [paper]

Xue, G., Dong, Q, Jin, Z., Zhang, L., and Wang, Y. (2004). An fMRI study with semantic access in low proficiency second language learners. NeuroReport 15, 791-796. [paper]

Wang, Y., Sereno, J., Jongman, A., and Hirsch, J. (2003). fMRI evidence for cortical modification during learning of Mandarin lexical tone. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 15, 7, 1019-1027. [paper]

Wang, Y., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (2003). Acoustic and perceptual evaluation of Mandarin tone productions before and after perceptual training. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America , 113, 1033-1043. [paper]

Jongman, A., Wang, Y., and Kim, B. (2003). Contributions of semantic and facial information to perception of non-sibilant fricatives. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 46, 1367-1377. [paper]

Wang, Y., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (2001). Dichotic perception of lexical tones by Mandarin and American listeners. Brain and Language 78, 332-348. [paper]

Wang, Y., Spence, M., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1999). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 106, 3649-3658. [paper]

[Review: Nature Science Update]

Conference Proceedings and Working Papers

Wang, Y., Behne, D., and Jiang, H. (2008). Effects of training modality on AV perception of nonnative speech contrasts. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver.

Tu, J., Wu, X., and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of Japanese pitch accent by native Japanese and English listeners. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver.

Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Belsby, S-O, Kaasa, S., Simonsen, and Back, K. (2008). Visual field advantage in the perception of audiovisual speech segments. Proceedings of the International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing 2008 , Tangalooma, Australia.

Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Feehan, A. (2007). Effect of native language experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives by Korean and Mandarin natives. In J. Vroomen, M. Swerts and E. Krahmer (Eds.): Proceedings of International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing 2007.

Behne, D., Wang, Y., Alm, M., Arntsen, I., Eg, R., and Valso, A. (2007). Changes in audio-visual speech processing during adulthood. In J. Vroomen, M. Swerts and E. Krahmer (Eds.): Proceedings of International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing 2007.

Wang, Y., Behne, D., Jiang, H. & Danyluc, C. (2006). Native and Nonnative Audio-visual Perception of English Fricatives in Quiet and Café-noise Backgrounds. Proceedings of the ninth International Conference on Spoken Language Processing.

Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2004). A collaborative tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. Proceedings of the 18th International Congress on Acoustics. [paper]

Wang, Y. and Kuhl, P.K. (2003). Evaluating the “critical period” hypothesis: Perceptual learning of Mandarin tones in American adults and American children at 6, 10, and 14 years of age. Proceedings of the 15 th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences, 1537-1540. [paper]

Wang, Y. (2000). Hemispheric processing of lexical tones by Mandarin and American listeners. In M. Przezdziecki and Y. Wang (eds.), Working Papers of the Cornell Phonetics Laboratory , 13, 182-207.

Wang, Y., Sereno, J., Jongman, A., and Hirsch, J. (2000). Cortical reorganization associated with the acquisition of Mandarin tones by American learners: An fMRI study. Proceedings of the 6 th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , II, 511-514.

Jongman, A., Wang, Y., and Sereno, J.A. (2000). Acoustic and perceptual properties of English fricatives. Proceedings of the 6 th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , I, 536-539.

Wang, Y, Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A pilot study. In N. Adisasmito-Smith, W. Ham, and L. Lavoie (eds.), Working Papers of the Cornell Phonetics Laboratory , 12, 243-254.

Wang, Y, Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A first report. In P. Kuhl and L. Crum (eds.), Joint Proceedings of the 16 th International Congress on Acoustics and the 135 th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , 2979-2980.

Presentations

Conference presentations

• Wang, Y., Behne, D., Cooper, A. and Tu, J. (2009) Domain-specific processing of Mandarin tone. 157th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Portland, OR.

• Cooper, A. and Wang, Y. (2009). Effects of linguistic and musical experience on non-native perception of Thai vowel duration. 2nd Acoustical Society of America Workshop on Speech: Cross-language speech perception and variations in linguistic experience, Portland, OR.

• Wang, Y., Behne, D., Cooper, A., Jiang, H., Leung, N., and Tu, J. (2008). Effects of training modality on audio-visual perception of place of articulation and voicing in nonnative speech. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association, Vancouver.

• Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Belsby, S-O, Kaasa, S., Simonsen, and Back, K. (2008). Visual field advantage in the perception of audiovisual speech segments. International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing 2008 , Tangalooma, Australia.

• Tu, J., Wu, X. and Wang, Y. (2008). Hemispheric processing of pitch accent in Japanese by native and non-native listeners. 156 th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Miami.

• Tu, J., Wu, X. and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of Japanese pitch accent by native Japanese and English listeners. Annual Meeting of the Canadian Acoustics Association , Vancouver.

• Wu, X., Tu, J., and Wang, Y. (2008). Processing of pitch accent in Japanese by native Japanese and Mandarin Chinese listeners. The 2 nd International Conference on East Asian Linguistics, Vancouver.

• Wang, Y ., Behne, D., Cooper, A., Jiang, H., Leung, N. and Tu, J. (2008). Effects of auditory, visual and audio-visual training on nonnative perception of English fricatives. Acoustics 2008, Paris.

• Wang, Y. (2008). Effects of linguistic experience on audio-visual perception of nonnative fricatives. Oral presentation at the SFU Applied Linguistics Symposium on L2 Perception and Production , Vancouver, Canada.

• Wang, Y. , Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Fe ehan, A. (2007). Ef fect of native language experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives by Korean and Mandarin natives. International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing, Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands.

• Behne, D., Wang, Y. , Alm, M., Arntsen, I., Eg, R., and Valso, A. (2007). Changes in audio-visual speech processing during adulthood. International Conference on Audio-visual Speech Processing , Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands.

• Wang, Y. , Behne, D., Jiang, H., and Danylu ck, C. (2006). Role of linguistic experience on audio-visual perception of English fricatives in quiet and noise backgrounds. The 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu.

• Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2006). Audiovisual per ception of voicing with age in quiet and cafe noise. The 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu.

• Behne, D., Rø, M ., and Wang, Y. (2006). Ef fects of musical experience on linguistic pitch perception training. Oral presentation at the 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu.

• Rø, M., Behne, D., and Wang, Y. (2006). The effects of musical experience on linguistic pitch perception: A comparison of Norwegian professional singers and instrumentalists. Oral presentation at the 4th Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan , Honolulu.

• Wang, Y. , Behne, Jiang, H., and Danyluck, C. (2006). Native and Nonnative Audio-visual Perception of English Fricatives in Quiet and Café-noise Backgrounds. Interspeech 06 , Pittsburgh.

• Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2005). Effects of musical and linguistic experience on hemispheric processing of prosody. The International Speech Communication Association (ISCA) Workshop on Plasticity in Speech Perception , London.

• Wang, Y. , Hirsch, J., Sy, M., Lin, L., and Sedora, N. (2005). Ph onetic and mathematical processing in native and second language. 1st Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Workshop on Second Language Speech Learning , Vancouver, Canada.

• Wang, Y. and Beh ne, D. (2005). Perceived nativeness and sensitivity to temporal adjustments in speech. 149th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Vancouver, Canada.

• Behne, D. and Wang, Y. (2005). Online speech lab: a collaborative tool for cross-language research. 1 st Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Workshop on Second Language Speech Learning , Vancouver, Canada.

• Wang, Y. , Xue, G., Dong, Q., Hao, J., and Li, K. (2004). An fMRI study of the temporal and linguistic factors in prosodic processing. 28th International Congress of Psychology , Beijing, China.

• Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2004) Perceived nativeness of temporal adjustments in speech. 28th International Congress of Psychology , Beijing, China.

• Lin, L.J., Wang, Y. , Imada, T., and Kuhl, P.K. (2004). Influence of Mandarin tone exposure on the processing of intonation by 14-year-old American adolescents: an fMRI study. 147th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , New York.

• Wang, Y. and Behne, D. (2004). Temporal patterns of native Mandarin Chinese speakers' productions of English stop-vowel syllable. 147th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , New York.

• Lin, L.J., Wang, Y. , Imada, T. and Kuhl, P.K. (2004). Cortical activation patterns after exposure to Mandarin Chinese tones: an fMRI study on American 14-year olds. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 11th Annual Meeting , San Francisco.

• Behne, D. with Wang, Y. (2004). A shared tool for cross-language speech perception and acoustic-phonetic research. 18th International Congress on Acoustics , Kyoto, Japan.

• Wang, Y. and P.K. Kuhl (2003). Evaluating the “critical period” hypothesis: Perceptual learning of Mandarin tones in American adults and American children at 6, 10, and 14 years of age. 15th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences , Barcelona, Spain.

• Wang, Y., Lin, L.J. and Kuhl, P.K. (2003). Cortical activation reorganization during learning of linguistic prosody: an fMRI study. Cognitive Neuroscience Society 10th Annual Meeting , New York.

• Sereno, J., Wang, Y. , Jongman, A., and J. Hirsch (2003). Cortical effects of learning a second language. Oral presentation at the 4th International Symposium on Bilingualism, Arizona State University, Arizona.

• Wang, Y. , Sereno, A., Jongman, A., Hirsch, J. and Kuhl, P.K. (2002). Cortical effects of second language learning by adults and children. Oral presentation at the International Symposium on Cognitive Neuroscience , Hong Kong.

• Wang, Y. , Jongman, A. and Sereno, J. (2001). Acoustic analysis of American listeners' Mandarin tone productions before and after perceptual training. 142th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

• Wang, Y. , Sereno, J., Jongman, A. and Hirsch, J. (2000). Cortical reorganization associated with the acquisition of Mandarin tones by American learners: An fMRI study. 6th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , Beijing, China.

• Jongman , A., Sereno, J., and Wang, Y. (2000). Acoustic and perceptual properties of English fricatives. 6th International Conference on Spoken Language Processing , Beijing, China.

• Sereno, J., Wang, Y. , Jongman, A. and Hirsch, J. (2000). Native and non-native speech perception and implications for the learning of non-native contrasts. Workshop on the Nature of Speech Perception, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

• Wang, Y. , Spence, M., Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1999). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: Transfer to production. 137th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Second Convention of the European Acoustics Association , Berlin, Germany.

• Jongman, A., Wang, Y. , Spence, M., and Kim, B. (1999). Perception of English fricatives. 137th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the 2nd Convention of the European Acoustics Association , Berlin, Germany.

• Wang, Y. , Jongman, A., and Sereno, J. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A first report. 135th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America , Seattle, USA.

Invited talks

• Wang, Y . (2006). fMRI and second language acquisition. Workshop on New Technologies and Second Language Acquisition Research, The 8 th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition, Banff, Canada.

• Wang, Y . (2006). Brain and behavioral correlates of second language speech learning. Linguistics Department, University of Hawaii , Hawaii.

• Wang, Y . ( 2006). Functional imaging research on language processing and learning. Symposium on behavioral neuroscience and functional imaging: A vision for SFU, Vancouver.

• Wang, Y . ( 2006). Exploring the brain functions for language and learning. SFU Cognitive Science Research Talk Series: Defining Cognitive Science, Vancouver.

• Wang, Y . (2006). Behavioral and brain correlates of second language speech learning. Linguistics Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.

• Wang, Y. ( 2003). Learning and processing suprasegmentals. Linguistics Institute, Academia Sinica , Beijing, China.

• Wang, Y. ( 2003). Neurophysiological evidence for second language learning. Institute for Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Normal University , Beijing, China.

• Wang, Y. ( 2003). Behavioral and neuro-imaging studies of Mandarin tone processing and learning. Center for Cognitive Science Colloquia, University at Buffalo, State University of New York , New York.

• Wang, Y. and Kuhl, P.K. (2002). Reinterpreting the Critical Period Hypothesis for language. International Workshop on Sensory Systems Plasticity, RIKEN neuronal function research group , Tokyo.

• Wang, Y. ( 2002). Behavioral and neural correlates of second language processing and learning. Sophia University , Tokyo.

• Wang, Y. ( 2002). Behavioral and neural correlates of Mandarin tone processing and learning. University at Buffalo, State University of New York , Buffalo, New York.

• Wang, Y. ( 2001). Perception, production, and neurophysiological processing of lexical tone by native and non-native speakers. Center for Mind, Brain and Learning, University of Washington , Seattle.

• Wang, Y . (2001). A cross-linguistic study of suprasegmental processing and acquisition. Linguistics Colloquium, University of Washington , Seattle.

• Wang, Y. ( 2001). Acquisition and processing of lexical tone. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Health Related Professions, University of Alabama , Birmingham, Alabama.

• Wang, Y. (2001). Processing of Mandarin tones. Linguistic Colloquy, The University of Kansas , Lawrence, Kansas.

• Wang, Y. ( 2000). Hemispheric processing of linguistic tones: Results from dichotic listening and fMRI. Forum on Speech Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway.

• Sereno, J.A., Wang, Y., and Jongman, A. (1999). Suprasegmental learning. Mid-America Linguistics Conference , Lawrence, Kansas.

• Wang, Y. ( 1999). Perceptual training of Mandarin tones and its effects on production. Forum on Speech Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway.

• Sereno , J., Wang, Y ., and Jongman, A. (1999). Native and non-native perception of tone. International Symposium on Future Directions in Cross-Language and Second Language Speech Perception Research , Sandbjerg, Denmark.

• Wang, Y. (1998). Training American listeners to perceive Mandarin tones: A preliminary study. Annual Cognitive Studies Graduate Student Research Forum, Cornell University , Ithaca, New York.