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Dissertation Information
| Title: | The Acquisition of Speech Rhythm and Stop Voicing by Greek Learners of English: A pedagogical and linguistic approach | Add Dissertation |
| Author: | Eleni Tsiartsioni | Update Dissertation |
| Email: | click here to access email | |
| Homepage: | http://www.enl.auth.gr/phonlab/et_cv.html | |
| Institution: | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Linguistics | |
| Completed in: | 2011 | |
| Linguistic Subfield(s): | Applied Linguistics; Phonetics; Language Acquisition; | |
| Subject Language(s): |
English
Greek, Modern |
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| Director(s): |
Marina Mattheoudakis Katerina Nicolaidis Christos Nakas |
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| Abstract: | L2 phonological acquisition constitutes a challenging area of research, as previous studies have reported that mastery of the L2 phonological system is a rare occurrence among L2 learners. Constraints in pronunciation accuracy appear to be related to a number of parameters, for example, to interference from speakers' L1, universal tendencies of language, learners' age of onset of language learning, the quality and quantity of exposure to L2, as well to social and psychological factors. A central question is whether L2 pronunciation can be taught and to what extent pronunciation teaching intervention can be effective. The aim of the present study is to investigate the production of L2 speech rhythm and selected features of the stop voicing system among Greek learners of English before and after pronunciation teaching intervention that occurs in a foreign formal language context of acquisition. For the purposes of the present study two groups of speakers were examined, an experimental group who received a pronunciation teaching intervention and a control group, who followed the regular classes at school without special pronunciation teaching intervention. Each group comprised students of three different ages (10-, 13- and 16-years old) in order to investigate the potential role of learners' age in relation to L2 phonological acquisition. Data on L1 Greek and English were also obtained. The pronunciation teaching included 51 pronunciation mini-lessons embedded in the regular English language course, following the methodology of Celce-Murcia, Brinton and Goodwin (1996), who proposed five stages of pronunciation teaching that range from controlled to free activities. Rhythm was quantified with the use of the PVI measure (Low, Grabe and Nolan 2000, Grabe and Low 2002), which examines the vocalic and intervocalic duration variability in a long stretch of speech. The acquisition of the durational correlates of voicing was measured with the use of waveform and spectrographic analysis of features in word initial and final stops. Individual variability was also explored through the implementation of the 'native-likeness criterion' (Birdsong 2007, Flege, Munro and Skelton 1992). The results indicated that, generally before teaching, speakers resorted to L1 interference or to universal tendencies of language. After teaching a change was reported for speakers of the experimental, but not of the control groups. Great inter- and intra- speaker variability was reported, especially after instruction. Generally, improvement was found for the experimental groups, however, systematic target-like production was difficult to achieve. Also no clear global effect of learners' age was reported. A detailed analysis of the possible constraints in pronunciation accuracy, as well as the pedagogical implications of the findings are presented. The results are evaluated in relation to theoretical frameworks of L2 phonological acquisition. |
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