Sequence detection in pseudowords in French: Where is the syllable effect?

International audienceIn two experiments, French speakers detected cv or cvc sequences at the beginning of disyllabic pseudowords varying in syllable structure and pivotal consonant. Overall, both studies failed to replicate the crossover interaction that has been previously observed in French by Mehler, Dommergues, Frauenfelder and Seguõ´(Seguõ´Seguõ´(1981). In both experiments, latencies were shorter to cv than to cvc targets and this effect of target length was generally smaller for cvc. cv than for cv. cv carriers. However, a clear crossover interaction was observed for liquid pivotal consonants under target-blocking conditions