Phonetic feature size in second language acquisition

Examining VOT in voiceless and voiced stops

Bibliographic Data

ID11655722
AuthorsDaniel J Olson (0000-0002-7113-6699, Purdue University, USA, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume38
Issue4
Pages913-940
Publication date2021-04-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSecond language Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0267-6583 • E-ISSN: 1477-0326
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02676583211008951
OpenAlexW3154909372
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited55

Featural approaches to second language phonetic acquisition posit that the development of new phonetic norms relies on sub-phonemic features, expressed through a constellation of articulatory gestures and their corresponding acoustic cues, which may be shared across multiple phonemes. Within featural approaches, largely supported by research in speech perception, debate remains as to the fundamental scope or ‘size’ of featural units. The current study examines potential featural relationships between voiceless and voiced stop consonants, as expressed through the voice onset time cue. Native English-speaking learners of Spanish received targeted training on Spanish voiceless stop consonant production through a visual feedback paradigm. Analysis focused on the change in voice onset time, for both voiceless (i.e. trained) and voiced (i.e. non-trained) phonemes, across the pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest. The results demonstrated a significant improvement (i.e. reduction) in voice onset time for voiceless stops, which were subject to the training paradigm. In contrast, there was no significant change in the non-trained voiced stop consonants. These results suggest a limited featural relationship, with independent voice onset time (VOT) cues for voiceless and voices phonemes. Possible underlying mechanisms that limit feature generalization in second language (L2) phonetic production, including gestural considerations and acoustic similarity, are discussed

Contrast (vision · Feature (linguistics · Gesture · Linguistics · Perception · Speech production · Speech recognition · Variation (astronomy · Voice-onset time · Computer Science · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Phonetics and Phonology Research · Psychology · Speech and dialogue systems · Artificial Intelligence