Read My Lips: Asymmetries in the Visual Expression and Perception of Speech Revealed through the McGurk Effect

Michael E.R. Nicholls, Dara A. Searle, John L. Bradshaw

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In around 95 percent of people the left hemisphere is in charge of skilled sequentially organised tasks, like the articulation of speech sounds – and decoding them too. An insight into the functional significance of asymmetrical mouth movements during speech has been provided by Graves and Potter. Asymmetries in mouth movements may also affect the visual communication of speech. This type of communication, known as lipreading, plays an important role in speech perception in individuals with hearing impairments, as well as those with normal hearing. The visual expression of speech was indexed using the McGurk effect. To investigate asymmetries in the expression of speech, we covered either the left or right side of the mouth in our stimuli. The interaction between orientation and the side of the mouth covered provides an insight into the mechanisms that underlie the asymmetry. Our results demonstrate the importance of the right side of the mouth to the visual expression and comprehension of speech.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLanguage in Use
Subtitle of host publicationA Reader
EditorsPatrick Griffiths, Andrew John Merrison, Aileen Bloomer
PublisherTaylor and Francis - Balkema
Chapter4.8
Pages350-358
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781000115680
ISBN (Print)0415442044, 9780415442046
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2010 selection and editorial matter, Patrick Griffiths, Andrew John Merrison and Aileen Bloomer; individual chapters, the contributors.

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