Investigating the Effect of Second Language Learning on the Acquisition of a Third Language Rhythm Pattern
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Date
2020
Authors
Diantoro, Carissa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Language rhythm arises from the language-specific timing of syllables, dictated by the language-specific stress patterns. Previous studies show that speaking a language with a similar rhythm pattern to a target second language (L2) could aid in rhythm acquisition of that language. The question addressed in this study is whether training in an L2 could help the acquisition of a third language (L3). We hypothesize that compared to a monolingual speaker, an L2 learner will better acquire the rhythm patterns of an L3 if the L2 rhythm pattern is similar to that of the L3. We tested this hypothesis by asking whether English-speaking learners of French more quickly learn an L3 language with a French-like rhythm pattern (i.e., Indonesian) than English speakers with no such L2 experience. The French learners and English-only speakers were recorded while repeating Indonesian sentences as well as French sentences. Their repetitions were acoustically segmented into consonant and vowel intervals, and several interval-based rhythm metrics were calculated. Findings based on 6 second-year English learners of French and 6 monolingual English speakers, show that compared to the French learners, the monolingual English speakers' production are closer to the native Indonesian speaker. Two explanations are considered as to why this might be. The first is because French learners might have interferences that would affect their performance. The second is because in early L2 acquisition, a learner would exhibit a more syllable-timed-like rhythm, regardless of native language. Further work will be done in analyzing the participants' French production, to ensure that the French learners are more proficient in French than the monolingual English speakers.
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Keywords
Rhythm, Second language learning, Language acquisition