Rapid and multifaceted effects of second-language learning on first-language speech production

Charles B. Chang

doi:10.1016/j.wocn.2011.10.007

Rapid and multifaceted effects of second-language learning on first-language speech production

Charles B. Chang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

217 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Despite abundant evidence of malleability in speech production, previous studies of the effects of late second-language learning on first-language speech production have been limited to advanced learners. This study examined these effects in novice learners, adult native English speakers enrolled in elementary Korean classes. In two acoustic studies, learners' production of English was found to be influenced by even brief experience with Korean. The effect was consistently one of assimilation to phonetic properties of Korean; moreover, it occurred at segmental, subsegmental, and global levels, often simultaneously. Taken together, the results suggest that cross-language linkages are established from the onset of second-language learning at multiple levels of phonological structure, allowing for pervasive influence of second-language experience on first-language representations. The findings are discussed with respect to current notions of cross-linguistic similarity, language development, and historical sound change. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	249-268
Journal	Journal of Phonetics
Volume	40
Issue number	2
Online published	31 Dec 2011
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wocn.2011.10.007
Publication status	Published - Mar 2012
Externally published	Yes

Funding

This study was conducted with the support of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and funding from the Center for Korean Studies and the Department of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. The paper benefited immensely from the comments of Ocke-Schwen Bohn, Ann Bradlow, Susanne Gahl, Carla Hudson Kam, Sharon Inkelas, Keith Johnson, John Ohala, several anonymous reviewers, and audiences at the University of California, Berkeley, Yonsei University, and meetings of the Linguistic Society of America and the Acoustical Society of America. The author is also grateful to Daiana Chang and Kevin Sitek for research assistance and to the Fulbright Korean-American Educational Commission for logistical help.

Research Keywords

phonetic drift
phonetics
speech production
Korean
English
bilingualism

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title = "Rapid and multifaceted effects of second-language learning on first-language speech production",

abstract = "Despite abundant evidence of malleability in speech production, previous studies of the effects of late second-language learning on first-language speech production have been limited to advanced learners. This study examined these effects in novice learners, adult native English speakers enrolled in elementary Korean classes. In two acoustic studies, learners' production of English was found to be influenced by even brief experience with Korean. The effect was consistently one of assimilation to phonetic properties of Korean; moreover, it occurred at segmental, subsegmental, and global levels, often simultaneously. Taken together, the results suggest that cross-language linkages are established from the onset of second-language learning at multiple levels of phonological structure, allowing for pervasive influence of second-language experience on first-language representations. The findings are discussed with respect to current notions of cross-linguistic similarity, language development, and historical sound change. {\textcopyright} 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.",

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T1 - Rapid and multifaceted effects of second-language learning on first-language speech production

AU - Chang, Charles B.

PY - 2012/3

Y1 - 2012/3

N2 - Despite abundant evidence of malleability in speech production, previous studies of the effects of late second-language learning on first-language speech production have been limited to advanced learners. This study examined these effects in novice learners, adult native English speakers enrolled in elementary Korean classes. In two acoustic studies, learners' production of English was found to be influenced by even brief experience with Korean. The effect was consistently one of assimilation to phonetic properties of Korean; moreover, it occurred at segmental, subsegmental, and global levels, often simultaneously. Taken together, the results suggest that cross-language linkages are established from the onset of second-language learning at multiple levels of phonological structure, allowing for pervasive influence of second-language experience on first-language representations. The findings are discussed with respect to current notions of cross-linguistic similarity, language development, and historical sound change. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AB - Despite abundant evidence of malleability in speech production, previous studies of the effects of late second-language learning on first-language speech production have been limited to advanced learners. This study examined these effects in novice learners, adult native English speakers enrolled in elementary Korean classes. In two acoustic studies, learners' production of English was found to be influenced by even brief experience with Korean. The effect was consistently one of assimilation to phonetic properties of Korean; moreover, it occurred at segmental, subsegmental, and global levels, often simultaneously. Taken together, the results suggest that cross-language linkages are established from the onset of second-language learning at multiple levels of phonological structure, allowing for pervasive influence of second-language experience on first-language representations. The findings are discussed with respect to current notions of cross-linguistic similarity, language development, and historical sound change. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KW - phonetic drift

KW - phonetics

KW - speech production

KW - Korean

KW - English

KW - bilingualism

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DO - 10.1016/j.wocn.2011.10.007

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

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VL - 40

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EP - 268

JO - Journal of Phonetics

JF - Journal of Phonetics

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ER -

Rapid and multifaceted effects of second-language learning on first-language speech production

Abstract

Funding

Research Keywords

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