TY - JOUR
T1 - Production of English connected speech processes
T2 - an assessment of Cantonese ESL learners’ difficulties obtaining native-like speech
AU - Wong, Simpson W. L.
AU - Dealey, Jessica
AU - Leung, Vina W. H.
AU - Mok, Peggy P. K.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Early Career Scheme of the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong [grant number ECS 846212].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Association for Language Learning.
PY - 2021/9/3
Y1 - 2021/9/3
N2 - Despite English being a core and compulsory part of the curriculum for Chinese English-as-a-second-language (ESL) learners, it is nevertheless often highly challenging for them. This is partly due to the discrepancies between English’s citation and spoken form and the lack of recognition this pronunciation receives within ESL classrooms. With this in mind, the current study focuses on a highly significant, yet understudied, feature of fluent English speech: connected speech phonological processes (CSPPs). Through analysing the oral recordings of 60 Cantonese ESL university students, the foundation of non-native-like English CSPP productions is examined. Results of error analysis highlight the multitude of interrelated sources of non-native-like productions and provide support for previously stipulated causes of non-native-likeness, e.g. L1/L2 phoneme inventory gaps, as well as previously unidentified influences, e.g. hypercorrection. The study presents invaluable data and implications regarding the successful assessment, teaching, and learning, of English CSPPs and ultimately fluent connected English speech. (151 words)
AB - Despite English being a core and compulsory part of the curriculum for Chinese English-as-a-second-language (ESL) learners, it is nevertheless often highly challenging for them. This is partly due to the discrepancies between English’s citation and spoken form and the lack of recognition this pronunciation receives within ESL classrooms. With this in mind, the current study focuses on a highly significant, yet understudied, feature of fluent English speech: connected speech phonological processes (CSPPs). Through analysing the oral recordings of 60 Cantonese ESL university students, the foundation of non-native-like English CSPP productions is examined. Results of error analysis highlight the multitude of interrelated sources of non-native-like productions and provide support for previously stipulated causes of non-native-likeness, e.g. L1/L2 phoneme inventory gaps, as well as previously unidentified influences, e.g. hypercorrection. The study presents invaluable data and implications regarding the successful assessment, teaching, and learning, of English CSPPs and ultimately fluent connected English speech. (151 words)
KW - Chinese learners of English as a second language
KW - connected speech
KW - English reduced forms
KW - error analysis
KW - pronunciation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085184048&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09571736.2019.1642372
DO - 10.1080/09571736.2019.1642372
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85085184048
SN - 0957-1736
VL - 49
SP - 581
EP - 596
JO - Language Learning Journal
JF - Language Learning Journal
IS - 5
ER -