title: A new model of sensorimotor coupling in the development of speech.
abstract: We present a computational model that learns a coupling between motor parameters and their sensory consequences in vocal production during a babbling phase. Based on the coupling, preferred motor parameters and prototypically perceived sounds develop concurrently. Exposure to an ambient language modifies perception to coincide with the sounds from the language. The model develops motor mirror neurons that are active when an external sound is perceived. An extension to visual mirror neurons for oral gestures is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, School of Psychology, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK. gwestermann@brookes.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Westermann
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reck Miranda
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009430:Neural Analyzers / Q000502:physiology; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D010700:Phonetics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*