Speech perception in infants : propagating the effects of language experience

Since the 1970s much has been learned about infant speech perception, particularly regarding developmental changes in perception of native versus non-native consonant and vowel contrasts and the growth of spoken word recognition. This chapter summarizes major theoretical models on how language experience influences infant speech perception, and on how spoken word recognition begins to emerge during infancy and up through the middle of year 2. A synopsis of key research findings on those two issues, and their relevance to the theoretical models, is provided. We conclude with directions for further research that will deepen insights into how native speech experience in the first 18 months may contribute to language development more broadly.