Katsumi NAGAI (Kagawa University)
Abstract: Speech errors in retrieving Japanese nonsense words were compared under two conditions. The nonsense test words were lengthened gradually by adding one syllable to the head of base words (condition 1: left-most derivation) and to the tail of base words (condition 2: right-most deviation). Results showed that left-most deviation of test words yielded more precise retrieval of test words than right-most deviation. Phonological analysis demonstrated a tendency for part of test words to (a) be substituted, (b) be missed, and (c) have a consonant and a vowel (CV syllable) added to them as a unit. Substitution (a) outnumbered missing (b), and additional syllables (c) were least frequently observed.