视觉加工对英语母语者汉语声调感知的影响

The Effects of Visual Processing on Tone Perception by Native English-speaking Learners of Chinese

本文考察了视觉加工对英语母语者汉语声调感知的作用,并基于语音符号化理论对视觉加工影响学习者声调感知的内在机制进行探索。研究表明:对于零起点汉语学习者的声调感知来说,视觉、听觉双通道加工方式的效果好于只有听觉通道的加工方式,视觉加工促进了学习者的声调感知;对于零起点汉语学习者来说,教师的手势可以帮助学习者建立语音与符号之间的映射关系,从而易化声调感知过程。

This study investigates by means of two experiments the effectiveness of visual processing on tone perception by native English-speaking learners of Chinese. Experiment 1 com- pares the learning effects of two training methods used in teaching Mandarin tones among native English-speaking learners of Chinese. One method uses auditory training, and the other uses au- ditory-visual training. The results show that, compared with auditory training, auditory-visual training has a superior effect on tone perception. Experiment 2 reveals the nature of this effect, i.e. , visual processing facilitates tone perception through phonetic symbolization. In conclusion, for elementary level learners of Chinese, teaching gestures of Mandarin tones can help promote tone perception by establishing the relationship between sound and symbol.