ABSTRACT
Speech sound acquisition is one of the most difficult challenges for the second language learner, particularly for languages acquired in adulthood. This chapter first describes the neurobiology of novel speech sound learning, charting sensitivity to non-native speech contrasts at multiple levels of the neural processing hierarchy. Next, the chapter examines evidence for multiple neural systems supporting speech sound learning and describes factors that contribute to more or less successful encoding of speech sound contrasts. Finally, the chapter explores a neurobiological account for the challenges of speech sound learning in adulthood, with an appeal to classic critical/sensitive period theories.
