Keywords

Q'eqchi', second language speakers, native speakers

Abstract

This study examines the production of voiceless unaspirated stops and ejective stops by native (L1) and second language (L2) speakers of Q'eqchi' to determine (1) whether there were acoustic differences (in voice onset time and burst duration) between voiceless unaspirated stops and ejective stops and (2) whether L2 speakers were more accurate at producing phones that are similar to the native language (voiceless unaspirated stops) than those that are different (ejective stops). Acoustic analyses of the stops produced by the ten L1 and thirteen L2 Q'eqchi' speakers revealed (1) that L1 speakers make a distinction in voice onset time and at times in burst duration in ejective versus voiceless un aspired stops, (2) L2 speakers can produce a difference between ejective and voiceless unaspirated stops and (3) L2 speakers are more accurate at producing ejective than voiceless uninspired stops. These results suggest that L2 speakers are actually less accurate at producing ejective at producing L2 phones that are similar versus less similar to native language phones. Results are discussed in light of current theories of L2 speech learning.

Original Publication Citation

Wagner, K. O. C. & Baker-Smemoe, W. (2013). An investigation of the production of ejective by native (L1) and second (L2) language speakers of Q’eqchi’ Mayan. Journal of Phonetics,

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2013

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8631

Publisher

Elsevier Ltd

Language

English

College

Humanities

Department

Linguistics

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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