Subcortical Encoding of Manipuri Pitch Contours in Native Speakers and Non-Native Speakers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the subcortical representation of pitch contours of Manipuri language in native Manipuri-speakers and in non-native speakers with and without musical training. The study also aimed to compare the FFRs recorded in native Manipuri speakers, with and without musically trained, non-native speakers. Three Manipuri disyllabic words were spoken by a native speaker and the three tonal contours (rising, falling and flat) were extracted. These were used as stimuli to extract the FF Rs in the three groups of subjects. Pitch tracking accuracy and pitch strength were calculated of the response obtained from each of the groups. Overall, the results demonstrated that the pitch strength was significantly better in the Manipuri group, followed by musically trained group and then the non-manipuri group for rising and flat tones.