Francesca Peressotti
Professor
Telephone: 0498276582
Via Venezia 8 – Room 02.019
francesca.peressotti@unipd.it
Via Venezia 8 – Room 02.019
francesca.peressotti@unipd.it
Research Areas
Language system; Language and cognition interactions
Specific research interests:
- Predictive processing in language comprehension
- Biligualism, multilinguyalism and dialects
- Speech processing
- Sign languages
- Lexical access, orthography, reading and writing
Active research grants:
“Perceiving and predicting multisensory speech: a window on the interplay between sensory and motor processes and brain representations”, codice MUR 2022 FT8HNC (Bando PRIN 2022 – DD 104 del 02/02/2022) – CUP “C53D23004130006
“HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN.”Bridging Communication Gaps in Human and Human-AI Interactions: The Role of Accented Speech on Neurocognitive mechanisms and Social Dynamics” HUM.AI.N-ACCENT” Link
Selected Publications
2025
Sala, Marco; Vespignani, Francesco; Gastaldon, Simone; Casalino, Laura; Peressotti, Francesca
In the Words of Others: ERP Evidence of Speaker-Specific Phonological Prediction Journal Article
In: Psychophysiology, vol. 62, no. 9, pp. e70135, 2025.
@article{sala2025words,
title = {In the Words of Others: ERP Evidence of Speaker-Specific Phonological Prediction},
author = { Marco Sala and Francesco Vespignani and Simone Gastaldon and Laura Casalino and Francesca Peressotti},
editor = {Wiley},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.70135},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Psychophysiology},
volume = {62},
number = {9},
pages = {e70135},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Prediction models usually assume that highly constraining contexts allow the pre-activation of phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the phonological errors produced by L2 speakers to investigate whether specific phonological predictions are made based on speaker identity. L1 Italian speakers were asked to read sentence fragments, after which a final word was spoken by either an L1- or an L2-accented speaker. The spoken final word could be predictable or not, depending on the sentence context. The identity of the speaker (L1- vs. L2-accented) may or may not be cued by an image of the face of the speaker. Our main analysis indicated that cueing the speaker identity was associated with a larger N400 predictability effect, possibly reflecting an easier processing of predictable words due to phonological pre-activation. As visual inspection of the waveforms revealed a more complex pattern than initially anticipated, we used Temporal EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) to identify and disentangle the ERP components underlying the effect observed. In the L1-accent condition, predictable words elicited a posterior positivity relative to unpredictable words, possibly reflecting a P3b response, which was more pronounced when the speaker identity was cued. In the L2-accent condition, cueing the speaker identity was associated with a smaller N1 and a larger P3a response. These results suggest that phonological prediction for L1- and L2-accented speakers likely involves different cognitive processes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
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Prediction models usually assume that highly constraining contexts allow the pre-activation of phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the phonological errors produced by L2 speakers to investigate whether specific phonological predictions are made based on speaker identity. L1 Italian speakers were asked to read sentence fragments, after which a final word was spoken by either an L1- or an L2-accented speaker. The spoken final word could be predictable or not, depending on the sentence context. The identity of the speaker (L1- vs. L2-accented) may or may not be cued by an image of the face of the speaker. Our main analysis indicated that cueing the speaker identity was associated with a larger N400 predictability effect, possibly reflecting an easier processing of predictable words due to phonological pre-activation. As visual inspection of the waveforms revealed a more complex pattern than initially anticipated, we used Temporal EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) to identify and disentangle the ERP components underlying the effect observed. In the L1-accent condition, predictable words elicited a posterior positivity relative to unpredictable words, possibly reflecting a P3b response, which was more pronounced when the speaker identity was cued. In the L2-accent condition, cueing the speaker identity was associated with a smaller N1 and a larger P3a response. These results suggest that phonological prediction for L1- and L2-accented speakers likely involves different cognitive processes.
2024
Sala, Marco; Vespignani, Francesco; Casalino, Laura; Peressotti, Francesca
I know how you’ll say it: evidence of speaker-specific speech prediction Journal Article
In: Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, pp. 1–13, 2024.
@article{sala2024know,
title = {I know how you’ll say it: evidence of speaker-specific speech prediction},
author = { Marco Sala and Francesco Vespignani and Laura Casalino and Francesca Peressotti},
url = {http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sala-et-al_PBR_2024.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-024-02488-2},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Psychonomic Bulletin & Review},
pages = {1--13},
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abstract = {Most models of language comprehension assume that the linguistic system is able to pre-activate phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the fact that foreign speakers usually make phonological errors. We investigate whether speaker identity (native vs. foreign) is used to make specific phonological predictions. Fifty-two participants were recruited to read sentence frames followed by a last spoken word which was uttered by either a native or a foreign speaker. They were required to perform a lexical decision on the last spoken word, which could be either semantically predictable or not. Speaker identity (native vs. foreign) may or may not be cued by the face of the speaker. We observed that the face cue is effective in speeding up the lexical decision when the word is predictable, but it is not effective when the word is not predictable. This result shows that speech prediction takes into account the phonological variability between speakers, suggesting that it is possible to pre-activate in a detailed and specific way the phonological representation of a predictable word.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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Most models of language comprehension assume that the linguistic system is able to pre-activate phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the fact that foreign speakers usually make phonological errors. We investigate whether speaker identity (native vs. foreign) is used to make specific phonological predictions. Fifty-two participants were recruited to read sentence frames followed by a last spoken word which was uttered by either a native or a foreign speaker. They were required to perform a lexical decision on the last spoken word, which could be either semantically predictable or not. Speaker identity (native vs. foreign) may or may not be cued by the face of the speaker. We observed that the face cue is effective in speeding up the lexical decision when the word is predictable, but it is not effective when the word is not predictable. This result shows that speech prediction takes into account the phonological variability between speakers, suggesting that it is possible to pre-activate in a detailed and specific way the phonological representation of a predictable word.
2023
Peressotti, Francesca; Lorenzoni, Anna; Miozzo, Michele
Moral judgments in native, regional, and foreign languages Journal Article
In: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, pp. 1–10, 2023.
@article{peressotti2022moral,
title = {Moral judgments in native, regional, and foreign languages},
author = { Francesca Peressotti and Anna Lorenzoni and Michele Miozzo},
url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bilingualism-language-and-cognition/article/moral-judgments-in-native-regional-and-foreign-languages/862AEAEFA2D2443B6943CD90D8E843A4http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Peressotti-et-al_2023-Bilingualism_MFQ.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728923000342 },
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-02},
urldate = {2023-06-02},
journal = {Bilingualism: Language and Cognition},
pages = {1--10},
publisher = {Cambridge University Press},
abstract = {We examined moral judgments in three types of language: a native national language (Italian), a non-native foreign language (English), and a native regional language (Venetian, oral and colloquial). We used the Moral Foundation Questionnaire to investigate cross-linguistic differences in multiple aspects of morality. Higher scores in the Harm, Purity and Fairness dimensions were obtained in the foreign and the regional language with respect to the national language. In addition, higher scores in the Ingroup dimension were obtained in the foreign language with respect to the native language. The effects of language on morality can thus be quite pervasive, involving a variety of aspects of morality. The differences we observed across these languages are explained in terms of their sociolinguistics – specifically, the greater use of national languages with moral values and beliefs. It is proposed that language effects arise because the language that is used activates information associated with it.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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We examined moral judgments in three types of language: a native national language (Italian), a non-native foreign language (English), and a native regional language (Venetian, oral and colloquial). We used the Moral Foundation Questionnaire to investigate cross-linguistic differences in multiple aspects of morality. Higher scores in the Harm, Purity and Fairness dimensions were obtained in the foreign and the regional language with respect to the national language. In addition, higher scores in the Ingroup dimension were obtained in the foreign language with respect to the native language. The effects of language on morality can thus be quite pervasive, involving a variety of aspects of morality. The differences we observed across these languages are explained in terms of their sociolinguistics – specifically, the greater use of national languages with moral values and beliefs. It is proposed that language effects arise because the language that is used activates information associated with it.
2022
Miozzo, Michele; Peressotti, Francesca
How the hand has shaped sign languages Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 11980, 2022.
@article{miozzo2022hand,
title = {How the hand has shaped sign languages},
author = {Michele Miozzo and Francesca Peressotti},
url = {http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Miozzo_Peressotti_SciRep_2022.pdf},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
urldate = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {11980},
publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK London},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2020
Gastaldon, Simone; Arcara, Giorgio; Navarrete, Eduardo; Peressotti, Francesca
Commonalities in alpha and beta neural desynchronizations during prediction in language comprehension and production Journal Article
In: Cortex, vol. 131, pp. 328-345, 2020, ISSN: 00109452.
@article{Gastaldon2020,
title = {Commonalities in alpha and beta neural desynchronizations during prediction in language comprehension and production},
author = {Simone Gastaldon and Giorgio Arcara and Eduardo Navarrete and Francesca Peressotti},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010945220303701
http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Gastaldon_et_al_2020_Cortex.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.cortex.2020.09.026},
issn = {00109452},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-10-13},
urldate = {2020-10-13},
journal = {Cortex},
volume = {131},
pages = {328-345},
publisher = {Elsevier},
abstract = {We recorded EEG from participants performing both a comprehension and a production task in two separate blocks. Participants listened to high and low constraint incomplete sentences and were asked either to name a picture to complete it (production) or to simply listen to the final word (comprehension). We found that in a silent gap before the final stimulus, predictable stimuli elicited alpha and beta desynchronization in both tasks, signaling the pre-activation of linguistic information. Source estimation highlighted the involvement of left-lateralized language areas and temporo-parietal areas in the right hemisphere. Furthermore, correlations between the desynchronizations in comprehension and production showed spatiotemporal commonalities in language- relevant areas of the left hemisphere. As proposed by prediction-by-production models, our results suggest that comprehenders engage the production system while predicting upcoming words.
Keywords: language prediction, language production, alpha–beta oscillations, internal model},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We recorded EEG from participants performing both a comprehension and a production task in two separate blocks. Participants listened to high and low constraint incomplete sentences and were asked either to name a picture to complete it (production) or to simply listen to the final word (comprehension). We found that in a silent gap before the final stimulus, predictable stimuli elicited alpha and beta desynchronization in both tasks, signaling the pre-activation of linguistic information. Source estimation highlighted the involvement of left-lateralized language areas and temporo-parietal areas in the right hemisphere. Furthermore, correlations between the desynchronizations in comprehension and production showed spatiotemporal commonalities in language- relevant areas of the left hemisphere. As proposed by prediction-by-production models, our results suggest that comprehenders engage the production system while predicting upcoming words.
Keywords: language prediction, language production, alpha–beta oscillations, internal model
Keywords: language prediction, language production, alpha–beta oscillations, internal model
Publications
2025
Peressotti, F; Miozzo, M.
Feeling more in the language used among family and friends. Journal Article
In: Bilingualism: Languge and Cognition, pp. 1-18, 2025.
@article{nokey,
title = {Feeling more in the language used among family and friends. },
author = {F Peressotti and M. Miozzo },
editor = {Cambridge University Press},
doi = { https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728925000355 },
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-24},
journal = {Bilingualism: Languge and Cognition},
pages = {1-18},
abstract = {Many bilinguals speak both languages proficiently and habitually; however, the contexts in which the languages are used can vary. The present study examined the effects of context variation on emotions, comparing a national language used everywhere to a regional language spoken only among family and friends. We found a higher sensitivity to disgust (Experiment 1), a greater enjoyment of humor (Experiment 2) and stronger emotions in response to endearments, reprimands and insults (Experiment 3) with the regional language. The regional language induced stronger emotional responses, even though it was used less frequently than the national language. The effects of the regional language varied depending on the frequency of its use. We propose that these effects on emotions reflect the different opportunities to use the language among family and friends, contexts critical for the acquisition and regulation of emotions and in which emotions are expressed quite vividly.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Many bilinguals speak both languages proficiently and habitually; however, the contexts in which the languages are used can vary. The present study examined the effects of context variation on emotions, comparing a national language used everywhere to a regional language spoken only among family and friends. We found a higher sensitivity to disgust (Experiment 1), a greater enjoyment of humor (Experiment 2) and stronger emotions in response to endearments, reprimands and insults (Experiment 3) with the regional language. The regional language induced stronger emotional responses, even though it was used less frequently than the national language. The effects of the regional language varied depending on the frequency of its use. We propose that these effects on emotions reflect the different opportunities to use the language among family and friends, contexts critical for the acquisition and regulation of emotions and in which emotions are expressed quite vividly.
Sala, Marco; Vespignani, Francesco; Gastaldon, Simone; Casalino, Laura; Peressotti, Francesca
In the Words of Others: ERP Evidence of Speaker-Specific Phonological Prediction Journal Article
In: Psychophysiology, vol. 62, no. 9, pp. e70135, 2025.
@article{sala2025words,
title = {In the Words of Others: ERP Evidence of Speaker-Specific Phonological Prediction},
author = { Marco Sala and Francesco Vespignani and Simone Gastaldon and Laura Casalino and Francesca Peressotti},
editor = {Wiley},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.70135},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-01-01},
journal = {Psychophysiology},
volume = {62},
number = {9},
pages = {e70135},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Prediction models usually assume that highly constraining contexts allow the pre-activation of phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the phonological errors produced by L2 speakers to investigate whether specific phonological predictions are made based on speaker identity. L1 Italian speakers were asked to read sentence fragments, after which a final word was spoken by either an L1- or an L2-accented speaker. The spoken final word could be predictable or not, depending on the sentence context. The identity of the speaker (L1- vs. L2-accented) may or may not be cued by an image of the face of the speaker. Our main analysis indicated that cueing the speaker identity was associated with a larger N400 predictability effect, possibly reflecting an easier processing of predictable words due to phonological pre-activation. As visual inspection of the waveforms revealed a more complex pattern than initially anticipated, we used Temporal EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) to identify and disentangle the ERP components underlying the effect observed. In the L1-accent condition, predictable words elicited a posterior positivity relative to unpredictable words, possibly reflecting a P3b response, which was more pronounced when the speaker identity was cued. In the L2-accent condition, cueing the speaker identity was associated with a smaller N1 and a larger P3a response. These results suggest that phonological prediction for L1- and L2-accented speakers likely involves different cognitive processes.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Prediction models usually assume that highly constraining contexts allow the pre-activation of phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the phonological errors produced by L2 speakers to investigate whether specific phonological predictions are made based on speaker identity. L1 Italian speakers were asked to read sentence fragments, after which a final word was spoken by either an L1- or an L2-accented speaker. The spoken final word could be predictable or not, depending on the sentence context. The identity of the speaker (L1- vs. L2-accented) may or may not be cued by an image of the face of the speaker. Our main analysis indicated that cueing the speaker identity was associated with a larger N400 predictability effect, possibly reflecting an easier processing of predictable words due to phonological pre-activation. As visual inspection of the waveforms revealed a more complex pattern than initially anticipated, we used Temporal EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) to identify and disentangle the ERP components underlying the effect observed. In the L1-accent condition, predictable words elicited a posterior positivity relative to unpredictable words, possibly reflecting a P3b response, which was more pronounced when the speaker identity was cued. In the L2-accent condition, cueing the speaker identity was associated with a smaller N1 and a larger P3a response. These results suggest that phonological prediction for L1- and L2-accented speakers likely involves different cognitive processes.
2024
Gastaldon, Simone; Bonfiglio, Noemi; Vespignani, Francesco; Peressotti, Francesca
Predictive language processing: integrating comprehension and production, and what atypical populations can tell us Journal Article
In: Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 15, pp. 1369177, 2024.
@article{Gastaldon2024c,
title = {Predictive language processing: integrating comprehension and production, and what atypical populations can tell us},
author = {Simone Gastaldon and Noemi Bonfiglio and Francesco Vespignani and Francesca Peressotti},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1369177},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-05-21},
urldate = {2024-05-21},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
volume = {15},
pages = {1369177},
publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
abstract = {Predictive processing, a crucial aspect of human cognition, is also relevant for language comprehension. In everyday situations, we exploit various sources of information to anticipate and therefore facilitate processing of upcoming linguistic input. In the literature, there are a variety of models that aim at accounting for such ability. One group of models propose a strict relationship between prediction and language production mechanisms. In this review, we first introduce very briefly the concept of predictive processing during language comprehension. Secondly, we focus on models that attribute a prominent role to language production and sensorimotor processing in language prediction (“prediction-by-production” models). Contextually, we provide a summary of studies that investigated the role of speech production and auditory perception on language comprehension/prediction tasks in healthy, typical participants. Then, we provide an overview of the limited existing literature on specific atypical/clinical populations that may represent suitable testing ground for such models–i.e., populations with impaired speech production and auditory perception mechanisms. Ultimately, we suggest a more widely and in-depth testing of prediction-by-production accounts, and the involvement of atypical populations both for model testing and as targets for possible novel speech/language treatment approaches.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
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Predictive processing, a crucial aspect of human cognition, is also relevant for language comprehension. In everyday situations, we exploit various sources of information to anticipate and therefore facilitate processing of upcoming linguistic input. In the literature, there are a variety of models that aim at accounting for such ability. One group of models propose a strict relationship between prediction and language production mechanisms. In this review, we first introduce very briefly the concept of predictive processing during language comprehension. Secondly, we focus on models that attribute a prominent role to language production and sensorimotor processing in language prediction (“prediction-by-production” models). Contextually, we provide a summary of studies that investigated the role of speech production and auditory perception on language comprehension/prediction tasks in healthy, typical participants. Then, we provide an overview of the limited existing literature on specific atypical/clinical populations that may represent suitable testing ground for such models–i.e., populations with impaired speech production and auditory perception mechanisms. Ultimately, we suggest a more widely and in-depth testing of prediction-by-production accounts, and the involvement of atypical populations both for model testing and as targets for possible novel speech/language treatment approaches.
Peressotti, Francesca; Pianezzola, Greta; Battistutta, Marta; Miozzo, Michele
Foreign and Regional Languages Make You Less Deontological Journal Article
In: Journal of Cognition, vol. 7, no. 1, 2024.
@article{peressotti2024foreign,
title = {Foreign and Regional Languages Make You Less Deontological},
author = { Francesca Peressotti and Greta Pianezzola and Marta Battistutta and Michele Miozzo},
url = {http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Peressotti_et-al_JOC_2024.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.5334/joc.346 },
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Cognition},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
publisher = {Ubiquity Press},
abstract = {Previous studies have shown that foreign languages can change people’s responses to moral dilemmas, making them more likely to choose harm (e.g., to kill one individual in order to save a few lives). Regional languages have also been shown to make sacrificial choices more likely. Regional languages are typically acquired early and used routinely among family and acquaintances, thus differing from foreign languages that are typically acquired later and used rather sporadically. Using a process dissociation procedure, we show in the present study that regional and foreign languages weaken the contribution of the deontological view in similar ways. Furthermore, the effects of both languages were modulated by proficiency, so that less proficient bilinguals showed a stronger decrease of the deontological tendency. These similarities suggest that the effects induced by both languages stem from what these languages have in common. Both languages are not experienced in contexts critical in forging moral views (e.g., public institutions, media, schools). We propose that the effects of foreign and regional languages stem from the lack of experience in such contexts.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Previous studies have shown that foreign languages can change people’s responses to moral dilemmas, making them more likely to choose harm (e.g., to kill one individual in order to save a few lives). Regional languages have also been shown to make sacrificial choices more likely. Regional languages are typically acquired early and used routinely among family and acquaintances, thus differing from foreign languages that are typically acquired later and used rather sporadically. Using a process dissociation procedure, we show in the present study that regional and foreign languages weaken the contribution of the deontological view in similar ways. Furthermore, the effects of both languages were modulated by proficiency, so that less proficient bilinguals showed a stronger decrease of the deontological tendency. These similarities suggest that the effects induced by both languages stem from what these languages have in common. Both languages are not experienced in contexts critical in forging moral views (e.g., public institutions, media, schools). We propose that the effects of foreign and regional languages stem from the lack of experience in such contexts.
Sala, Marco; Vespignani, Francesco; Casalino, Laura; Peressotti, Francesca
I know how you’ll say it: evidence of speaker-specific speech prediction Journal Article
In: Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, pp. 1–13, 2024.
@article{sala2024know,
title = {I know how you’ll say it: evidence of speaker-specific speech prediction},
author = { Marco Sala and Francesco Vespignani and Laura Casalino and Francesca Peressotti},
url = {http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sala-et-al_PBR_2024.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-024-02488-2},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Psychonomic Bulletin & Review},
pages = {1--13},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {Most models of language comprehension assume that the linguistic system is able to pre-activate phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the fact that foreign speakers usually make phonological errors. We investigate whether speaker identity (native vs. foreign) is used to make specific phonological predictions. Fifty-two participants were recruited to read sentence frames followed by a last spoken word which was uttered by either a native or a foreign speaker. They were required to perform a lexical decision on the last spoken word, which could be either semantically predictable or not. Speaker identity (native vs. foreign) may or may not be cued by the face of the speaker. We observed that the face cue is effective in speeding up the lexical decision when the word is predictable, but it is not effective when the word is not predictable. This result shows that speech prediction takes into account the phonological variability between speakers, suggesting that it is possible to pre-activate in a detailed and specific way the phonological representation of a predictable word.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Most models of language comprehension assume that the linguistic system is able to pre-activate phonological information. However, the evidence for phonological prediction is mixed and controversial. In this study, we implement a paradigm that capitalizes on the fact that foreign speakers usually make phonological errors. We investigate whether speaker identity (native vs. foreign) is used to make specific phonological predictions. Fifty-two participants were recruited to read sentence frames followed by a last spoken word which was uttered by either a native or a foreign speaker. They were required to perform a lexical decision on the last spoken word, which could be either semantically predictable or not. Speaker identity (native vs. foreign) may or may not be cued by the face of the speaker. We observed that the face cue is effective in speeding up the lexical decision when the word is predictable, but it is not effective when the word is not predictable. This result shows that speech prediction takes into account the phonological variability between speakers, suggesting that it is possible to pre-activate in a detailed and specific way the phonological representation of a predictable word.
2023
Peressotti, Francesca; Lorenzoni, Anna; Miozzo, Michele
Moral judgments in native, regional, and foreign languages Journal Article
In: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, pp. 1–10, 2023.
@article{peressotti2022moral,
title = {Moral judgments in native, regional, and foreign languages},
author = { Francesca Peressotti and Anna Lorenzoni and Michele Miozzo},
url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bilingualism-language-and-cognition/article/moral-judgments-in-native-regional-and-foreign-languages/862AEAEFA2D2443B6943CD90D8E843A4http://colab.psy.unipd.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Peressotti-et-al_2023-Bilingualism_MFQ.pdf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728923000342 },
year = {2023},
date = {2023-06-02},
urldate = {2023-06-02},
journal = {Bilingualism: Language and Cognition},
pages = {1--10},
publisher = {Cambridge University Press},
abstract = {We examined moral judgments in three types of language: a native national language (Italian), a non-native foreign language (English), and a native regional language (Venetian, oral and colloquial). We used the Moral Foundation Questionnaire to investigate cross-linguistic differences in multiple aspects of morality. Higher scores in the Harm, Purity and Fairness dimensions were obtained in the foreign and the regional language with respect to the national language. In addition, higher scores in the Ingroup dimension were obtained in the foreign language with respect to the native language. The effects of language on morality can thus be quite pervasive, involving a variety of aspects of morality. The differences we observed across these languages are explained in terms of their sociolinguistics – specifically, the greater use of national languages with moral values and beliefs. It is proposed that language effects arise because the language that is used activates information associated with it.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We examined moral judgments in three types of language: a native national language (Italian), a non-native foreign language (English), and a native regional language (Venetian, oral and colloquial). We used the Moral Foundation Questionnaire to investigate cross-linguistic differences in multiple aspects of morality. Higher scores in the Harm, Purity and Fairness dimensions were obtained in the foreign and the regional language with respect to the national language. In addition, higher scores in the Ingroup dimension were obtained in the foreign language with respect to the native language. The effects of language on morality can thus be quite pervasive, involving a variety of aspects of morality. The differences we observed across these languages are explained in terms of their sociolinguistics – specifically, the greater use of national languages with moral values and beliefs. It is proposed that language effects arise because the language that is used activates information associated with it.
Gastaldon, S.; Busan, P.; Arcara, G.; Peressotti, F.
Inefficient speech-motor control affects predictive speech comprehension: atypical electrophysiological correlates in stuttering Journal Article
In: Cerebral Cortex, 2023.
@article{Gastaldon2023,
title = {Inefficient speech-motor control affects predictive speech comprehension: atypical electrophysiological correlates in stuttering},
author = {S. Gastaldon and P. Busan and G. Arcara and F. Peressotti},
url = {10.1093/cercor/bhad004},
doi = {10.1093/cercor/bhad004},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-21},
urldate = {2023-01-21},
journal = {Cerebral Cortex},
abstract = {Listeners predict upcoming information during language comprehension. However, how this ability is implemented is still largely unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis proposing that language production mechanisms have a role in prediction. We studied 2 electroencephalographic correlates of predictability during speech comprehension—pre-target alpha–beta (8–30 Hz) power decrease and the post-target N400 event-related potential effect—in a population with impaired speech-motor control, i.e. adults who stutter (AWS), compared to typically fluent adults (TFA). Participants listened to sentences that could either constrain towards a target word or not, modulating its predictability. As a complementary task, participants also performed context-driven word production. Compared to TFA, AWS not only displayed atypical neural responses in production, but, critically, they showed a different pattern also in comprehension. Specifically, while TFA showed the expected pre-target power decrease, AWS showed a power increase in frontal regions, associated with speech-motor control. In addition, the post-target N400 effect was reduced for AWS with respect to TFA. Finally, we found that production and comprehension power changes were positively correlated in TFA, but not in AWS. Overall, the results support the idea that processes and neural structures prominently devoted to speech planning also support prediction during speech comprehension.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Listeners predict upcoming information during language comprehension. However, how this ability is implemented is still largely unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis proposing that language production mechanisms have a role in prediction. We studied 2 electroencephalographic correlates of predictability during speech comprehension—pre-target alpha–beta (8–30 Hz) power decrease and the post-target N400 event-related potential effect—in a population with impaired speech-motor control, i.e. adults who stutter (AWS), compared to typically fluent adults (TFA). Participants listened to sentences that could either constrain towards a target word or not, modulating its predictability. As a complementary task, participants also performed context-driven word production. Compared to TFA, AWS not only displayed atypical neural responses in production, but, critically, they showed a different pattern also in comprehension. Specifically, while TFA showed the expected pre-target power decrease, AWS showed a power increase in frontal regions, associated with speech-motor control. In addition, the post-target N400 effect was reduced for AWS with respect to TFA. Finally, we found that production and comprehension power changes were positively correlated in TFA, but not in AWS. Overall, the results support the idea that processes and neural structures prominently devoted to speech planning also support prediction during speech comprehension.
Ambrosini, Ettore; Peressotti, Francesca; Gennari, Marisa; Benavides-Varela, Silvia; Montefinese, Maria
Aging-related effects on the controlled retrieval of semantic information. Journal Article
In: Psychology and Aging, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 219, 2023.
@article{ambrosini2023aging,
title = {Aging-related effects on the controlled retrieval of semantic information.},
author = { Ettore Ambrosini and Francesca Peressotti and Marisa Gennari and Silvia Benavides-Varela and Maria Montefinese},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000740},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Psychology and Aging},
volume = {38},
number = {3},
pages = {219},
publisher = {American Psychological Association},
abstract = {The efficient use of knowledge requires semantic control processes to retrieve context-relevant information. So far, it is well-established that semantic knowledge, as measured with vocabulary tests, does not decline with aging. Yet, it is still unclear whether controlled retrieval—the context-driven retrieval of very specific aspects of semantic knowledge—deteriorates in aging, following the same fate as other forms of cognitive control. Here, we tackled this issue by comparing the performance of younger and older native Italian speakers during a semantic feature verification task. To manipulate the control demands, we parametrically varied the semantic salience of the target feature for the cue concept. As compared to their young counterparts, older adults showed worse performance (in terms of reaction times) as the salience of the target feature of the concept decreased. This result suggests that older people have relatively greater difficulties in regulating the activation within semantic representation when conditions pose high demands of controlled retrieval of semantic information.
},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The efficient use of knowledge requires semantic control processes to retrieve context-relevant information. So far, it is well-established that semantic knowledge, as measured with vocabulary tests, does not decline with aging. Yet, it is still unclear whether controlled retrieval—the context-driven retrieval of very specific aspects of semantic knowledge—deteriorates in aging, following the same fate as other forms of cognitive control. Here, we tackled this issue by comparing the performance of younger and older native Italian speakers during a semantic feature verification task. To manipulate the control demands, we parametrically varied the semantic salience of the target feature for the cue concept. As compared to their young counterparts, older adults showed worse performance (in terms of reaction times) as the salience of the target feature of the concept decreased. This result suggests that older people have relatively greater difficulties in regulating the activation within semantic representation when conditions pose high demands of controlled retrieval of semantic information.
Lago, Sara; Pezzetta, Rachele; Gastaldon, Simone; Peressotti, Francesca; Arcara, Giorgio
Trial-by-trial fluctuations of pre-stimulus alpha power predict language ERPs Journal Article
In: Psychophysiology, vol. 60, no. 12, pp. e14388, 2023.
@article{lago2023trial,
title = {Trial-by-trial fluctuations of pre-stimulus alpha power predict language ERPs},
author = {Sara Lago and Rachele Pezzetta and Simone Gastaldon and Francesca Peressotti and Giorgio Arcara},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14388 },
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
urldate = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Psychophysiology},
volume = {60},
number = {12},
pages = {e14388},
publisher = {Wiley Online Library},
abstract = {Anticipatory mechanisms are known to play a key role in language, but they have been mostly investigated with violation paradigms, which only consider what happens after predictions have been (dis)confirmed. Relatively few studies focused on the pre-stimulus interval and found that stronger expectations are associated with lower pre-stimulus alpha power. However, alpha power also fluctuates spontaneously, in the absence of experimental manipulations; and in the attention and perception domains, spontaneously low pre-stimulus power is associated with better behavioral performance and with event-related potential (ERPs) with shorter latencies and higher amplitudes. Importantly, little is known about the role of alpha fluctuations in other domains, as it is in language. To this aim, we investigated whether spontaneous fluctuations in pre-stimulus alpha power modulate language-related ERPs in a semantic congruence task. Electrophysiology data were analyzed using Generalized Additive Mixed Models to model nonlinear interactions between pre-stimulus alpha power and EEG amplitude, at the single-trial level. We found that the N400 and the late posterior positivity/P600 were larger in the case of lower pre-stimulus alpha power. Still, while the N400 was observable regardless of the level of pre-stimulus power, a late posterior positivity/P600 effect was only observable for low pre-stimulus alpha power. We discuss these findings in light of the different, albeit connected, functional interpretations of pre-stimulus alpha and the ERPs according to both a nonpredictive interpretation focused on attentional mechanisms and under a predictive processing framework.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Anticipatory mechanisms are known to play a key role in language, but they have been mostly investigated with violation paradigms, which only consider what happens after predictions have been (dis)confirmed. Relatively few studies focused on the pre-stimulus interval and found that stronger expectations are associated with lower pre-stimulus alpha power. However, alpha power also fluctuates spontaneously, in the absence of experimental manipulations; and in the attention and perception domains, spontaneously low pre-stimulus power is associated with better behavioral performance and with event-related potential (ERPs) with shorter latencies and higher amplitudes. Importantly, little is known about the role of alpha fluctuations in other domains, as it is in language. To this aim, we investigated whether spontaneous fluctuations in pre-stimulus alpha power modulate language-related ERPs in a semantic congruence task. Electrophysiology data were analyzed using Generalized Additive Mixed Models to model nonlinear interactions between pre-stimulus alpha power and EEG amplitude, at the single-trial level. We found that the N400 and the late posterior positivity/P600 were larger in the case of lower pre-stimulus alpha power. Still, while the N400 was observable regardless of the level of pre-stimulus power, a late posterior positivity/P600 effect was only observable for low pre-stimulus alpha power. We discuss these findings in light of the different, albeit connected, functional interpretations of pre-stimulus alpha and the ERPs according to both a nonpredictive interpretation focused on attentional mechanisms and under a predictive processing framework.
2022
Del Maschio, N; Crespi, F; Peressotti, F; Abutalebi, J; Sulpizio, S
Decision-making depends on language: A meta-analysis of the Foreign Language Effect Journal Article
In: Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, pp. 1-14, 2022.
@article{DelMaschio2022,
title = {Decision-making depends on language: A meta-analysis of the Foreign Language Effect},
author = {Del Maschio, N and Crespi, F and Peressotti, F and Abutalebi, J and Sulpizio, S },
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728921001012},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-02-17},
journal = {Bilingualism: Language and Cognition},
pages = {1-14},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
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