Perceptual Learning for Native and Non-native Speech

In order to successfully perceive a language, a listener must be able to flexibly adapt to their input; however, a listener must also maintain the stability of their perceptual system, in order to maintain its integrity. Given the competing requirements of demonstrating flexibility while maintaining stability, it is critically important to understand under what circumstances listeners will demonstrate flexibility and under what circumstances they will not. In this chapter, I address this question using three types of perceptual learning for speech: perceptual flexibility of existing speech sound categories, acquisition of novel speech sound categories, and adaptation to unfamiliar accented speakers. These types of learning highlight the importance of balancing flexibility and stability in the perceptual system. In addition to highlighting previous results, their implications for language production and language learning are explored. Further, exploring these three types of learning together underscore the importance of investigating speakers and listeners from a variety of language backgrounds.