Loading...
Suprasegmentals and comprehensibility: a comparative study in accent modification
Barb, Christine
Barb, Christine
Files
Loading...
Dissertation
Adobe PDF, 473.76 KB
Authors
Other Names
Location
Time Period
Advisors
Original Date
Digitization Date
Issue Date
2005-12
Type
Dissertation
Genre
Keywords
American English,Pronunciation,English as second language,Accent modification
Subjects (LCSH)
Electronic dissertations
Electronic dissertations
Electronic dissertations
Citation
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of two methods of accent modification instruction. Thirty nonnative English speakers received an intonational-based instruction method for the pronunciation of American English. Half of those speakers received additional instruction and activities that were based on theories of cognitive processing of language. Three expert listeners evaluated pre- and post-instruction recordings of each speaker. Listeners were asked to rate the use of speech characteristics determined to be instrumental for intelligible speech on a 5-point Likert scale and three yes/no responses. As a whole, the intonational-based instruction method resulted in significant increases in the use of positive speech characteristics. A modification of that method did not result in significant differences in any of the speech characteristics. Findings of this study support the focus on suprasegmentals in pronunciation training of English as a second language and may lead to more diverse methods and designs for accent modification research.
Table of Contents
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Wichita State University, College of Health Professions, Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders
"December 2005."
Includes bibliographic references (81-95)
"December 2005."
Includes bibliographic references (81-95)
Publisher
Journal
Book Title
Series
Digital Collection
Finding Aid URL
Use and Reproduction
Copyright Christine Barb, 2005. All rights reserved.