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Article published In: Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism
Vol. 12:6 (2022) ► pp.748–777

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Focus prosody by Korean learners of English

 | Liaocheng University
 | Cheongju University
Published online: 4 March 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lab.20031.liu
Abstract
This study examined whether Korean learners of English attained native-like performance in English focus prosody by conducting production and perception experiments using digit strings. Language learners were classified into advanced-, intermediate-, and low-level groups according to their proficiency and compared with native speakers. Native speakers’ focus prosody was clearly prominent in the focus positions, and their post-focus positions were considerably compressed. Their focused digits were easy to detect, resulting in a 97% identification rate. Although advanced-level speakers produced acoustic cues quite similar to those of native speakers, their post-focus production did not resemble that of native speakers. Their identification rate was 81%, 16% lower than that of native speakers. Neither intermediate- nor low-level speakers’ focus-cueing changes were distinguished whatsoever in the focus and post-focus positions. Their identification rates were just over 10%, similar to the level of chance in a 10-digit string, implying that their focus productions were not sufficiently salient to be recognized in the experiment. The results suggest that second language acquisition is hindered by a negative transfer between English and Korean. The acquisition of second language focus prosody proceeds slowly; second language learners approach native-like proficiency once they become advanced.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Prosodic structure and focus prosody in English and Korean
    • 1.2Prosodic transfer
    • 1.3Setting the stage
  • 2.Method
    • 2.1Stimuli
    • 2.2Participants
    • 2.3Recording procedure
    • 2.4Overview of pitch contours
    • 2.5Acoustic measurements
    • 2.6Analyses and results
      • 2.6.1On-focus positions
      • 2.6.2Post-focus positions
  • 3.Perception
    • 3.1Audio stimuli
    • 3.2Participants
    • 3.3Procedure
    • 3.4Results
  • 4.Discussion
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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