Ongoing Development of Online Tone and Intonation Recognition in Mandarin during Late Childhood
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| Title: | Ongoing Development of Online Tone and Intonation Recognition in Mandarin during Late Childhood |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Xiaohe Xie (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2026 69(1):97-107. |
| Availability: | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 11 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Mandarin Chinese, Intonation, Recognition (Psychology), Language Acquisition, Children, Adults, Age Differences, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | China (Beijing) |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Raven Progressive Matrices, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-24-00922 |
| ISSN: | 1092-4388 1558-9102 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: In tonal languages such as Chinese, the processing of lexical tone and speech intonation inevitably interact due to their shared reliance on fundamental frequency (F0). However, the developmental trajectory of this interaction remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the development and maturation of online tone--intonation recognition during late childhood in native Mandarin-speaking children. Method: We conducted a longitudinal study tracking a group of Mandarin-speaking children (n = 66) from ages 9 to 11 years, and cross-sectionally compared their performance to that of adults (n = 21) on intonation (question vs. statement) and lexical tone (rising Tone 2 vs. falling Tone 4) identification, using the same set of sentences. Results: Children showed improvement over the 2-year period, particularly for stimuli with conflicting tone--intonation F0 contours (Tone 4 with question intonation and Tone 2 with statement intonation). Nonetheless, even at age 11 years, children still lagged behind adults in all conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that online recognition of tone and intonation in Mandarin continues to develop throughout late childhood. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1493897 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: In tonal languages such as Chinese, the processing of lexical tone and speech intonation inevitably interact due to their shared reliance on fundamental frequency (F0). However, the developmental trajectory of this interaction remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the development and maturation of online tone--intonation recognition during late childhood in native Mandarin-speaking children. Method: We conducted a longitudinal study tracking a group of Mandarin-speaking children (n = 66) from ages 9 to 11 years, and cross-sectionally compared their performance to that of adults (n = 21) on intonation (question vs. statement) and lexical tone (rising Tone 2 vs. falling Tone 4) identification, using the same set of sentences. Results: Children showed improvement over the 2-year period, particularly for stimuli with conflicting tone--intonation F0 contours (Tone 4 with question intonation and Tone 2 with statement intonation). Nonetheless, even at age 11 years, children still lagged behind adults in all conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that online recognition of tone and intonation in Mandarin continues to develop throughout late childhood. |
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| ISSN: | 1092-4388 1558-9102 |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-24-00922 |
