Karzon R G
J Exp Child Psychol. 1985 Apr;39(2):326-42. doi: 10.1016/0022-0965(85)90044-x.
The goal of this research was to ascertain the effects of suprasegmental parameters (fundamental frequency, amplitude, and duration) on discrimination of polysyllabic sequences by 1- to 4-month-old infants. A high-amplitude sucking procedure, with synthesized female speech, was used. Results indicate that young infants can discriminate the three-syllable sequences [marana] versus [malana] when suprasegmental characteristics typical of infant-directed speech emphasize the middle syllable. However, infants failed to demonstrate discrimination when adult-directed suprasegmentals were used and in several other experimental conditions in which prosodic parameters were manipulated. The pattern of results obtained in the six experiments suggests that the exaggerated suprasegmentals of infant-directed speech may function as a perceptual catalyst, facilitating discrimination by focusing the infant's attention on a distinctive syllable within polysyllabic sequences.
本研究的目的是确定超音段参数（基频、振幅和时长）对1至4个月大婴儿辨别多音节序列的影响。研究采用了高振幅吸吮程序，并使用了合成的女性语音。结果表明，当婴儿导向性言语的典型超音段特征突出中间音节时，幼儿能够辨别三音节序列[marana]与[malana]。然而，当使用成人导向性超音段以及在其他几个对韵律参数进行操纵的实验条件下，婴儿未能表现出辨别能力。在这六个实验中获得的结果模式表明，婴儿导向性言语中夸张的超音段可能起到感知催化剂的作用，通过将婴儿的注意力集中在多音节序列中的一个独特音节上，促进辨别。
