乳児期における音声模倣のメカニズムとその発達過程

Abstract

Vocal imitation takes place in the context of face-to-face interaction with the others and requires auditory (speech) information. This is one of the sensory-motor integration abilities and progress at early stage such as newborn and infant period. In addition, vocal imitation has been considered to play the crucial role in vocal learning in surrounding linguistic environment and transmission of emotion information. However, there is little evidence about mechanisms and developmental process of vocal imitation in infancy. In this review paper, I mentioned three components: (1) the summary of development research on voice imitation from the newborn to infant stage, (2) the summary of behavioral and neuroscientific evidence on voice imitation in adults, and (3) consideration of the mechanism and developmental process of voice imitation in infancy and the directions for future research.