27.279, Diss: Japanese, Lang Acq, Phonology: Ken Knight: 'L1 English Vocalic Transfer in L2 Japanese'

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LINGUIST List: Vol-27-279. Thu Jan 14 2016. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 27.279, Diss: Japanese, Lang Acq, Phonology: Ken Knight: 'L1 English Vocalic Transfer in L2 Japanese'

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Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:13:23
From: Ken Knight [knight at american.edu]
Subject: L1 English Vocalic Transfer in L2 Japanese

 
Institution: University of Georgia 
Program: Linguistics Program 
Dissertation Status: Completed 
Degree Date: 2013 

Author: Ken Knight

Dissertation Title: L1 English Vocalic Transfer in L2 Japanese 

Dissertation URL:  https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/knight_kenneth_j_201312_phd.pdf

Linguistic Field(s): Language Acquisition
                     Phonology

Subject Language(s): Japanese (jpn)


Dissertation Director(s):
Don R McCreary

Dissertation Abstract:

This study looks at four factors that cause transfer errors in the duration
and quality of vowel sounds in Japanese as spoken by native English speaking
learners. These factors are: 1) words contain a contrastive long vowel, 2)
words contain vowels in hiatal position, 3) words are English loanwords, and
4) words are written in Romanization. 34 students at the University of Georgia
completed elicited imitation and reading aloud tasks. Results show that
roughly 5% of all responses contained vocalic errors. Error rates were highest
for minimal pairs that contrast only in vowel length. Similarities in
orthography, word origin, and differences in phonological rules were shown to
be significant factors in L2 Japanese vowel pronunciation error. A brief
survey of the most widely used Japanese textbooks in the US reveals a lack of
explicit instruction in vowel length contrasts and Japanese loanword
adaptation. Increased explicit instruction in these areas as well as limited
use of Romanization may greatly reduce the risk of L2 Japanese vowel
pronunciation error.




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