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Article published In: Journal of Second Language Pronunciation
Vol. 12:1 (2026) ► pp.33–57

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The realization of Spanish /b d ɡ/ by Czech LX speakers

ORCiD logo with link | Charles University
ORCiD logo with link | Charles University
Published online: 10 October 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.25037.ska
Abstract
The pronunciation of the Spanish phonemes /b d ɡ/ is challenging for L2 learners, but most studies have relied on native speakers of English. This study examines the pronunciation of stop and approximant variants of Spanish /b d ɡ/ in two groups of Czech learners, 9 more and 9 less experienced users of Spanish, and compares it with the Spanish pronunciation norm as well as a group of 9 native speakers of Spanish. In total, 3280 items were coded as stop or approximant; alveolar productions of Spanish dental /d/ and labiodental productions of spelled <v> were also noted. Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of a correct realization, and exploratory analyses were used for finer articulation place distinctions. The Spanish dental /d/ was revealed as most difficult for the Czech learners. A clear effect of spelling was shown for <v>. Interesting cases of connected speech processes were also documented.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1/b d ɡ/ in Spanish
    • 1.2Acquisition of Spanish /b d ɡ/ by LX users
    • 1.3Research questions and hypotheses
  • 2.Method
    • 2.1Materials
    • 2.2Speakers
    • 2.3Analyses
  • 3.Results and discussion
    • 3.1Statistical model of /b d ɡ/ realization
    • 3.2Phonetic realization of Spanish /b/ and /d/
    • 3.3Awareness of connected speech processes
  • 4.General discussion
  • References
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