The effects of Chinese learners’ English acoustic-prosodic patterns on listeners’ attitudinal judgments
Prosody has been emphasised in second language (L2) pedagogy as a strong contribution to successful intercultural communication. As English and Chinese are typologically different languages (Chinese is a syllable-timed language while English a stress-timed language), many differences in stress and...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2016
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/10695/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/10695/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/10695/1/10970-40066-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | Prosody has been emphasised in second language (L2) pedagogy as a strong contribution to successful
intercultural communication. As English and Chinese are typologically different languages (Chinese is a
syllable-timed language while English a stress-timed language), many differences in stress and rhythmic
patterns trouble Chinese learners of English. This study analyses acoustic speech samples for 13 prosodic
features collected from 16 Chinese L2 learners and examines the relative importance of various prosody
features on language attitudes that native and non-native English listeners hold towards Chinese-accented
speech. The results revealed that Chinese speakers have a relatively slow speech rate and produce more
stressed words in their English speech compared with native English speakers. When listeners heard long and
inappropriate silent pauses in the speech, the integrity rating of the speakers decreased. The speech rate
contributed significantly to both attractiveness rating and competence rating. That is, listeners evaluated
speakers as more competent and attractive if the latter spoke faster. |
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