An Empirical Study of English Post-vocalic /r/ Pronunciation by Chinese English Learners

Abstract

Abstract: The survey finds that: 1) Compared with British English, American English has greater influence in China; the phonological environment is an important factor that influences /r/ pronunciation, and there is a big difference between English learners and English native speakers; the over-generalization of /r/ pronunciation is greatly influenced by the factors of gender, favor and style. 2) There are a total of 65% of subjects who are exposed to the over-generalization of /r/ pronunciation; the phonological environment has a greater effect on the over-generalization of /r/ pronunciation; the distribution of the subjects of the over-generalization of /r/ pronunciation is reflected by the distribution of /r/ pronunciation, and the latter offers decent explanation to the former. Lastly, some suggestions are raised on the /r/ pronunciation and its over-generalization and used to offer a basis for improving English pronunciation teaching

Key words: English post-vocalic /r/ pronunciation, the over-generalization, phonological environment, distribution, cause

CLC Number:

H311

Tian Qingbo, Feng Mo. An Empirical Study of English Post-vocalic /r/ Pronunciation by Chinese English Learners[J]. JOURNAL OF QUJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY, 2018, 37(2): 116-122.

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