Articulatory settings and L2 English coronal consonants

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Second Language Acquisition
• Phonetics

Background:

• Articulatory Settings (AS) theory proposes L2 speech learning involves gradual, holistic shifts in consonant production.
• This study investigates AS theory's applicability to L2 segmental speech learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if L2 learners shift both place and constriction degree for all consonants in a series.
• To examine the role of AS theory in understanding L2 consonant production.

Main Methods:

• Electropalatography was used to study four francophone learners.
• Learners produced French and English consonants (/t, d, s, z, n, l/) in carrier sentences.

Main Results:

• L1-L2 differences in tongue shape were more frequent than differences in constriction location.
• These tongue shape differences were particularly notable for sonorants.
• Findings partially contradicted the strict predictions of AS theory.

Conclusions:

• AS theory provides a useful framework for L2 consonantal phenomena, including place of articulation differences.
• Lack of systematic articulatory differences may stem from prioritizing voicing/manner over place, or L1 routine entrenchment.
• Future research should explore these factors in L2 articulatory learning.