Foreign Language Phonology

This project aims to collect and analyze acoustic data of speakers of different languages who are asked to repeat words and phrases in a number of languages that are likely to be foreign to them: Arabic, Dutch, English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Malayalam, and Spanish. What determines a foreign accent? Is it the vowels? Is it the intonation pattern? Or the way they produce consonants? Do speakers of Chinese hear tones even in non-tonal languages? We use acoustic analysis software (PRAAT) to determine if and how speakers import features of their own native language?

The purpose of this project is to build knowledge and information on phonological perception and its applications, e.g., in accent modification.

Meet the Team

Olivia Anderson

Lab Leader

She is a first year masters student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program and is the graduate research assistant for the lab. Currently, the lab is working on a project with the relationship between voice onset times and different languages.

Undergraduate Assistants

Undergraduate Researcher

Courtney Wolfgang

My name is Courtney Wolfgang, I am a graduating third year studying Speech Communication Disorders. I plan on going into the field of Speech Language Pathology, where I hope to someday work in a Veteran Affairs or Children's Hospital. With that being said, my interest in speech sparked my desire to do research, which is how I came across Dr. Loncke's Lab. Furthermore, I work in the phonology sector of his lab, where we currently use PRAAT software to dissect how many groups of diverse language speakers speak a language that is opposite to their own. I truly enjoy Loncke's Lab and have been involved since January 2023, and will continue into January 2024.

Undergraduate Researcher

Sophia Poe

My name is Sophia Poe, I’m a 4th year student Speech Communication Disorders. I am the PR/Social Chair for UVA’s National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, part of the Philanthropy Committee of the Delta Chi Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, a member of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and I am a part of Dr. Loncke’s Reaearch on Foreign Language Phonology.

Undergraduate Researcher

Jessica Grob

I am a fourth year Cognitive Science major who does research with the Loncke Lab as well as the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project. My hobbies include spending time with my friends, family, and my cat Theo.

Undergraduate Researcher

Kaya Lynch

Kaya Lynch is an aspiring speech-language pathologist and fourth-year at UVA. Ever since shadowing an SLP working in a school setting, she has pursued speech-language pathology. She enjoys playing the guitar, admiring the beautiful scenery of Virginia, and baking delicious treats when she’s not doing homework or attending UVA basketball games.

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Undergraduate Researcher

Claire Morello

My name is Claire Morello and I am a 4th year Undergraduate Student studying Speech Communication Disorders. I am in the Foreign Language Phonology Lab led by Dr.Loncke. I am excited to pursue a Master's in Speech Pathology following my graduation from UVA!

Undergraduate Researcher

Kaylee Tozier

My name is Kaylee Tozier, and I am a 4th year in Speech Communication Disorders major. I am so excited to participate in this research lab and learn more about Foreign Language Phonology. After graduation, I plan on going to graduate school to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. My hobbies include reading, crochet, and spending time with friends!

Undergraduate Researcher

Nico Landriel

Hi! My name is Nico Landriel and I am a 4th year studying Cognitive Science with a concentration in Linguistics. I am from Manassas, VA and I enjoy DJing and playing soccer in my spare time. I hope to work as a speech language pathologist or something linguistics related in the future.