Abstract: The temporal course of semantic and phonological retrieval in Chinese word production was investigated using ERP technique. Participants were shown pictures and required to carry out a dual choice GO/NOGO task based on the semantic information (i.e., whether the picture was of an object or an animal) and phonological information (e.g., whether the picture’s Chinese name starts with the letter Y or S). The N200 data indicated that semantic retrieval preceded phonological retrieval during Chinese word production, which was consistent with many previous findings. These data are discussed based on the related theory of speech production.

Key words: speech production, semantic retrial, phonological retrial, ERP