The Acquisition of L2 Phonology


Book Description

The Acquisition of L2 Phonology is a wide-ranging new collection which focuses on various aspects of the acquisition of an L2 phonological system. The authors are researchers and practitioners from five different countries. The volume has been divided into three major sections. Phonetic Analysis presents five studies of language learners in both naturalistic and formal-educational settings, which illustrate aspects of L2 production and perception. In Phonological Analysis a more abstract and comparative perspective is taken, in order to use recent theories modeling the route of L1/L2 pronunciation and reading ability development to account for observable tendencies in learner behavior. Pedagogical Perspectives consists of four contributions of high practical value, which look at the mastery of native-like or highly intelligible pronunciation as an important component of L2 education.




Social Factors and L2 Phonetics and Phonology


Book Description

This Element provides readers with a detailed overview of the social factors that affect second language (L2) phonology acquisition and use. Through a state-of-the art synthesis of the relevant literature, this Element addresses the following questions: What do we mean by social factors? Which social factors have been investigated in research on L2 phonological acquisition and use? How and why do social factors affect L2 phonological acquisition (production and perception) and use? What are the implications of the social factor findings for teaching L2 pronunciation? The Element answers these questions through a synthesis of key findings in research on social factors and L2 phonology. Conclusions and implications for teaching, as well as key readings and references, follow the research synthesis.




Second Language Pronunciation


Book Description

In the field of second language (L2) acquisition, the number of studies focusing on L2 pronunciation instruction and perceptual/production training has increased as new classroom methodologies have been proposed and new goals for L2 pronunciation have been set. This book brings together different approaches to L2 pronunciation research in the classroom or in the language laboratory. 13 chapters, written by well-known researchers focusing on a variety of first and target languages, are divided into four parts: Pronunciation development and intelligibility: implications for teaching and training studies; L2 pronunciation teaching; L2 pronunciation training: implications for the classroom; and Pronunciation in the laboratory: High Variability Phonetic Training. Intended for researchers in the fields of second language acquisition, phonetics, phonology, psycholinguistics, speech therapies, speech technology, as well as second language teaching, this book not only summarizes the current research questions on L2 pronunciation teaching and training, but also predicts future scenarios for both researchers and practitioners in the field.




Pronunciation Matters


Book Description




Phonology in Multilingual Grammars


Book Description

"The primary goal of this book is to articulate a unified architecture for a model of second language phonology. By explicitly addressing the phonological interfaces, I will show how a common set of principles can account for diverse phenomena from phonetics, through to morphology and syntax. As we shall see, phonology is critical to these interfaces. I also hope to show that the empirical evidence strongly suggests that the phonological grammars of L2 learners is composed of rich, abstract, complex, hierarchical representations"--




The Age Factor. The Role of Age in Second Language Phonological Acquisition


Book Description

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Other, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, language: English, abstract: In the first section, this research paper will present the role of age on L2 phonological acquisition by explaining the strong and weak version of the critical period hypothesis. Furthermore, it will give insight into important studies that either support or decline the opinion of age being a relevant factor for a native-like acquisition of a second language phonology. Subsequently, in the last section, it will be sketched to what extent other socio-motivational circumstances among L2 learners can cause individual differences throughout the acquisition of an L2 phonology. Both sections critically examine the relevance of the L2 learner’s age regarding the acquisition of an L2 phonology in order to find an answer to the question if age does affect the acquisition of a native-like pronunciation. As a last step, the main points and findings of this research paper will be summarised in the conclusion.




Pronunciation Fundamentals


Book Description

The emergence of empirical approaches to L2 pronunciation research and teaching is a powerful fourth wave in the history of the field. Authored by two leading proponents of evidence-based instruction, this volume surveys both foundational and cutting-edge empirical work and pinpoints its ramifications for pedagogy. The authors begin by tracing the history of pronunciation instruction and explicating L2 phonetic learning processes. Subsequent chapters explore the themes, strengths, and ethical problems of the field through the lens of the intelligibility principle. The importance of error gravity, and the need for assessment and individualized instruction are highlighted, and the role of L2 accents in social contexts is probed. Material readily available elsewhere has been omitted in favour of an emphasis on the how, why, and when of pronunciation instruction. Anyone with an interest in L2 pronunciation–especially graduate students, language teachers, and experienced researchers–will find much value in this indispensible resource.




Social Dynamics in Second Language Accent


Book Description

This volume offers a definitive source for understanding social influences in L2 pronunciation, demonstrating the importance of empirical findings from a number of research perspectives, and outlining the directions that future work can take. The aim is to present a coherent argument for the significance of social factors and how they contribute to phonological acquisition.




Voice and Mirroring in L2 Pronunciation Instruction


Book Description

"Voice and Mirroring in L2 Pronunciation Instruction presents an approach to teaching pronunciation which aims for learners to internalize the "voices" (complexes of linguistic and non-linguistic features that embody particular speakers' emotion, social stance, and group identification) of proficient speakers of the second language (L2). The audience for the volume includes language teachers, particularly those desiring to use top-down pedagogical approaches like the Mirroring Project to improve learners' intelligibility, and academic researchers interested in studying the way adults can acquire second language phonology by holistically adopting and channeling the voices of speakers they admire. The book is also of potential interest to language teacher educators, curriculum developers, and textbook writers"--