Orthographic Influence in the Distributional Learning of Non-Native Speech Sounds
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| Title: | Orthographic Influence in the Distributional Learning of Non-Native Speech Sounds |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Abdulaziz Alarifi (ORCID |
| Source: | Second Language Research. 2024 40(4):833-863. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 31 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Auditory Discrimination, Cues, Comparative Analysis, Speech Communication, Monolingualism, English, English (Second Language), Familiarity, Native Language, Linguistic Input, Task Analysis, Phonology, Undergraduate Students, Instructional Materials, Foreign Countries, Arabic, Auditory Stimuli, Romanization, Written Language |
| Geographic Terms: | Canada, Saudi Arabia |
| DOI: | 10.1177/02676583231191611 |
| ISSN: | 0267-6583 1477-0326 |
| Abstract: | This study investigated the role of orthographic information in the acquisition of non-native speech sounds by monolingual English listeners. Two potentially important orthographic variables were explored: Orthographic compatibility (whether the orthographic information supports or contradicts the distributional information) and orthographic familiarity (whether the native and target languages share the same orthography). Ten groups of learners were trained on either a unimodal or bimodal distribution of two length continua. Out of the 10 groups, eight groups were also exposed to orthographic cues that varied in their compatibility with the distributional information (compatible vs. incompatible) and familiarity with the orthography of learners' native language (Roman vs. Arabic). Following training, all participants performed an AX discrimination task to test their discrimination of the length contrast. The results revealed that, in general, the availability of either familiar or unfamiliar orthographic input which signaled the existence of a single length category significantly lowered learners' discrimination of the length contrast regardless of the auditory distribution. Further, the exposure to orthographic input that supported a two-category length distinction enhanced the discrimination of the length contrast irrespective of the distribution. However, the most significant improvement occurred when both distributional information and familiar orthographic input were compatible. Overall, these findings indicate that orthographic input, regardless of its level of compatibility or familiarity, may influence the acquisition of non-native speech sounds. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1447433 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study investigated the role of orthographic information in the acquisition of non-native speech sounds by monolingual English listeners. Two potentially important orthographic variables were explored: Orthographic compatibility (whether the orthographic information supports or contradicts the distributional information) and orthographic familiarity (whether the native and target languages share the same orthography). Ten groups of learners were trained on either a unimodal or bimodal distribution of two length continua. Out of the 10 groups, eight groups were also exposed to orthographic cues that varied in their compatibility with the distributional information (compatible vs. incompatible) and familiarity with the orthography of learners' native language (Roman vs. Arabic). Following training, all participants performed an AX discrimination task to test their discrimination of the length contrast. The results revealed that, in general, the availability of either familiar or unfamiliar orthographic input which signaled the existence of a single length category significantly lowered learners' discrimination of the length contrast regardless of the auditory distribution. Further, the exposure to orthographic input that supported a two-category length distinction enhanced the discrimination of the length contrast irrespective of the distribution. However, the most significant improvement occurred when both distributional information and familiar orthographic input were compatible. Overall, these findings indicate that orthographic input, regardless of its level of compatibility or familiarity, may influence the acquisition of non-native speech sounds. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0267-6583 1477-0326 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/02676583231191611 |
