The Application of Electrophysiological and Neuroimaging Techniques in Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) Tone Acquisition: Implications for Chinese Language Education
CSL acquisition; Tone perception; M/EEG; fMRI; Neural plasticity
汉语二语习得; 声调感知; 脑电/磁图; 功能磁共振成像; 神经可塑性
Abstract:
Tone acquisition is one of the major challenges in Chinese as a second language (CSL) learning and has long been a central topic in Chinese language education. In recent years, advances in electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques have substantially facilitated research on the neural mechanisms underlying CSL tone acquisition. Evidence from behavioral and neural studies indicates that CSL learners can develop a categorical perception pattern similar to that of native speakers through short-term tone training or classroom instruction, although a stable phonemic representation at the neural level remains difficult to establish. In addition, learners often show limited ability to use tonal cues during lexical recognition, whereas perceptual training and gesture-based instruction have been shown to enhance tone perception. More importantly, neuroimaging findings reveal that adult CSL learners retain a certain degree of structural and functional neuroplasticity during the learning process. This review systematically summarizes empirical findings from behavioral measures, electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on CSL tone acquisition, discusses unresolved issues in current research, and outlines directions for future studies.
声调习得是汉语二语习得的重要难点之一,也是汉语教学研究的核心议题。近年来,随着神经电生理和脑成像技术的发展,汉语二语声调习得的神经机制研究不断推进。行为与脑科学证据均表明,汉语学习者可通过短期声调训练或课堂学习在行为层面形成类似母语者的声调范畴感知模式,但在神经层面形成稳定的音位表征仍存在挑战。此外,学习者在词汇识别中使用声调线索的能力较弱,知觉训练和手势教学有助于提升其声调感知效果。更为重要的是,相关神经影像研究显示成人汉语学习者在学习过程中仍表现出一定的脑神经结构与功能可塑性。本文系统梳理了行为测量、脑电图(EEG)、脑磁图(MEG)及功能磁共振成像(fMRI)等技术在汉语二语声调习得研究中的实证成果,讨论当前研究中尚待解决的关键问题,并指出未来研究方向。