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Explicit and implicit aptitude effects on second language speech learning: Scrutinizing segmental and suprasegmental sensitivity and performance via behavioural and neurophysiological measures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2018

KAZUYA SAITO ,
HUI SUN  and
ADAM TIERNEY
KAZUYA SAITO*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication, Birkbeck College, University of London
HUI SUN
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication, Birkbeck College, University of London
ADAM TIERNEY
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London
*
Address for correspondence: Kazuya Saito, Birkbeck College, University of London, Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication, Room 334, 25 Russell Square, London, United KingdomWC1B 5DQ[email protected]
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Abstract

The current study examines the role of cognitive and perceptual individual differences (i.e., aptitude) in second language (L2) pronunciation learning, when L2 learners’ varied experience background is controlled for. A total of 48 Chinese learners of English in the UK were assessed for their sensitivity to segmental and suprasegmental aspects of speech on explicit and implicit modes via behavioural (language/music aptitude tests) and neurophysiological (electroencephalography) measures. Subsequently, the participants’ aptitude profiles were compared to the segmental and suprasegmental dimensions of their L2 pronunciation proficiency analyzed through rater judgements and acoustic measurements. According to the results, the participants’ segmental attainment was associated not only with explicit aptitude (phonemic coding), but also with implicit aptitude (enhanced neural encoding of spectral peaks). Whereas the participants’ suprasegmental attainment was linked to explicit aptitude (rhythmic imagery) to some degree, it was primarily influenced by the quality and quantity of their most recent L2 learning experience.

Keywords

Cognitive individual differencessecond language speechpronunciationexplicit aptitudeimplicit aptitude
Type
Research Article
Information
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , November 2019 , pp. 1123 - 1140
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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Footnotes

This study was funded by the Birkbeck College Additional/Seed Research Fund.

Supplementary material can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728918000895

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