Phonetic shifts in bilingual vowels

Evidence from intersentential and intrasentential code-switching

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15087487
AutoresY Seo (0000-0001-7980-4375, Purdue University, USA, autor correspondente), Daniel J Olson (0000-0002-7113-6699, Purdue University, USA)
Ano2025
Volume29
Fascículo3
Páginas776-791
Data de publicação2025-06-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Bilingualism (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1367-0069 • E-ISSN: 1756-6878
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/13670069241251988
OpenAlexW4396897278
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências citadas29

Aims and objectives: While previous research on code-switching, defined as the alternation between two languages in a single interaction, has focused on syntactic sociopragmatic patterns, significantly less work has focused on the impact of code-switching on phonetics. Distinct types of code-switching have been previously identified, with the distinction between intersentential and intrasentential code-switches being among the most basic. Yet, existing work on the phonetics of code-switching has largely relied on single feature (i.e., voice onset time) and has exclusively examined one type of code-switch (i.e., intrasentential). The current study investigates the potential for cross-linguistic interference in vowel production and examines the potential role of different code-switch types: intersentential and intrasentential code-switching. Design/Methodology: Thirty-seven Korean–English bilinguals participated in a controlled reading paradigm, producing monolingual English, monolingual Korean, intersentential code-switches, and intrasentential code-switches. Data and analysis: Analysis leveraged differences in the Korean and English vowel inventories and focused on the production of English [æ] and the corresponding Korean vowel [e~ε]. Findings/Conclusions: Results indicated that code-switched English vowels shifted in the direction of Korean vowels with respect to both height and backness. Code-switch type was shown to be significant, with a greater degree of vowel shift for intrasentential than intersentential code-switching. Originality: This study adds to the limited prior literature examining the effect of code-switching on vowel quality and is one of the first studies to systematically examine the role of code-switching typology on cross-linguistic interference in the phonetic domain. Significance/Implications: First, this study adds to the limited prior research that specifically examines the effect of code-switching on phonetic production of vowel quality. Second, this study highlights the nuances of short-term cross-linguistic interference, and notably the possibility for differential outcomes of interference across different linguistic domains (e.g., phonetics and syntax), showing a clear role for code-switching typology at the phonetic level

Code-switching · Linguistics · Neuroscience of multilingualism · Language Development and Disorders · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Philosophy · Phonetics and Phonology Research · Psychology