Mandarin speakers prefer explicit visual cues in learning Cantonese tones: an eye-tracking study

This study investigates the role of visual feedback on Mandarin speakers learning Cantonese tones using a high-variability perceptual learning paradigm. Thirty Mandarin speakers participated in a two-day experiment, completing pre-tests, training, post-tests, and generalization tests. Explicit (tone letters) and implicit (tone numbers) information related to tones were provided during training. Participants’ eye movements were recorded during training. The testing results showed that the identification of Cantonese tones by Mandarin speakers improved significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the training procedure incorporating visual feedback. Eye-tracking data revealed that participants spent the most time fixating on tone letters, and their attention to these letters increased as the training progressed. These findings highlight the importance of explicit visual information in auditory perceptual learning of tones. The impact of Mandarin tone experience on learning Cantonese tones was also discussed.