In:
Studies in Second Language Acquisition, Cambridge University Press (CUP), Vol. 41, No. 04 ( 2019-09), p. 897-910
Abstract:
This study examines second (L2) and third (L3) language learners’ pitch perception. We test the hypothesis that a listener’s discrimination of and sensitivity ( d’ ) to Japanese pitch accent reflects how pitch cues inform all words a listener knows in an additive, nonselective manner rather than how pitch cues inform words in a selective, Japanese-only manner. Six groups of listeners performed a speeded ABX discrimination task in Japanese. Groups were defined by their L1, L2, and L3 experience with the target language’s pitch cues (Japanese), a language with less informative pitch cues (English), or a language with more informative pitch cues (Mandarin Chinese). Results indicate that sensitivity to pitch is better modeled as a function of pitch’s informativeness across all languages a listener speaks. These findings support cue-centric views of perception and transfer, demonstrate potential advantageous transfer of tonal-L1/L2 speakers, and highlight the cumulative role that pitch plays in language learning.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0272-2631
,
1470-1545
DOI:
10.1017/S0272263119000068
Language:
English
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Date:
2019
detail.hit.zdb_id:
435303-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2002746-1
SSG:
7,11
SSG:
5,3
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