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Pronunciation Modeling and Lexicon Adaptation for Spoken Language Technology (PMLA)September 14-15, 2002 |
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Pronunciation Modeling and Lexicon Adaptation for Spoken Language Technology (PMLA)September 14-15, 2002 |
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This presentation will focus on foreign-accented speech. In most of the studies reviewed, English was the target second language (L2) under examination. Foreign accent arises from listeners’ perception of divergences from target language phonetic norms that arise from the influence of the native language (L1), incomplete learning, or both. The first part of the talk will discuss participant (subject) factors that are known to influence overall degree of foreign accent. These include the age of first exposure to the L2, years of L2 use, amount of continued L1 use, gender, education, and bilingual dominance. The second part of the talk will review differences among listeners in the ability to gauge foreign accent. The final part of the talk will review research that has attempted to identify which specific acoustic-phonetic factors trigger the perception of foreign accent. These include inaccurately produced vowels and consonants, rhythm, and intonation. The relation between foreign accent and intelligibility will also be discussed.
Bibliographic reference. Flege, James (2002): "Factors affecting the pronunciation of a second language", In PMLA-2002, 136-136.