Contextual semantic effects in compound processing

Abstract

This study examines how contextual semantic transparency (ST) influences the phonetic realization of triconstituent compounds (NNN) in English. Using data from 42 native speakers, the researchers analyze duration patterns in embedded and free constituents of left- and right-branching compounds. The findings suggest that semantic transparency, as determined through BERT embeddings, affects constituent duration differently across branching structures, with right-branching compounds showing more variation in duration. The study underscores the importance of context in phonetic processing and provides a foundation for further research on compound morphology and semantics.