第二语言语音研究的理论模式和实证方法

Theoretical Models and Empirical Methods in Second Language Speech Research

Ying Chen （陈莹）

Department of Linguistics, University of Oregon

讲座时间：2012年5月21日（星期一）下午15:00-16:00

讲座地点：语言研究院会议室（5号楼601室）

Abstract：

This talk is composed of three sections: 1) theoretical grounds of second language (L2) speech learning, 2) empirical methods in studying L2 speech perception and production, and 3) effects of language experience on L2 speech acquisition. 

        Section 1 will be initiated with the limitation of Contrastive Analysis (Lado, 1957) and draw a perception-based attention to L2 speech learning. Based on the within-language categorical perception, four theoretical models of L2 speech learning will be introduced: Native Language Magnet Model (Iverson & Kuhl, 1995), Perceptual Assimilation Model (Best, 1993; 1994), Selective Perceptual Routines (Strange & Shafer, 2008), and Speech Learning Model (Flege, 1995). The theme of these theories is that the nativelikeness of L2 speech production is correlated to the accuracy of L2 speech perception; the perception of L2 sounds depends on the artiulatory and acoustic distance between L1 and L2 phonetic categories.

       The empirical methods that will be involved in Section 2 include: (1) methods of examining L2 speech perception: identification task, discrimination task, goodness rating, and perceptual training; and (2) methods of examining L2 speech production: acoustic measurements of segments (vowels, consonants and tones) and prosody (duration, intensity and pitch), and foreign accent rating. Some basic procedures of experiment design and data analysis will be introduced and demonstrated.

        On the basis of Section 1 and Section 2, Section 3 will review some factors of language experience that impact the acquisition of L2 speech, such as age of L2 learning,  amount of L1/L2 use, length of residence in a community where L2 is the predominant language. Language experience has been found to affect L2 speech perception and production at both segmental and suprasegmental levels and the degree of global foreign accents. This section will end up with some pedagogical implication and application of L2 speech research.

主讲人简介：陈莹，美国俄勒冈大学语言学系博士候选人。研究方向：实验语音学，认知语言学，第二语言习得；擅长音段、韵律和音变的实证研究，语音感知和语音声学的定量分析。博士在读期间独立讲授或与教授合作讲授的课程有：英语词汇结构，汉字的语言学解释，语言学概论，语音学，音系学。完成和进行中的课题有：汉语地点倒装构式的语法结构和信息功能；汉语鼻韵尾感知及其历时归并；注意力在第二语言音段习得中的作用；语言经验对第二语言韵律焦点的影响。在这些方面有论文发表或即将发表。（“对比认知语言学”团队）