Findings.
Cantonese vowels and tones are perceptually integrated.
The perceptual integration of Cantonese vowels and tones occurs at auditory and phonological levels.
Implications.
The perceptual integration of vowels and tones is consistent with the TTRACE model, but contrary to the modified TRACE model.
We propose the TTRACE+ model in which vowels and tones are viewed as the same phonological unit.