How language-specific and cross-linguistic factors affect speech rhythm
Evidence from Bengali and English
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1344/efe-2024-33-169-190Keywords:
durational rhythmic metrics, Bengali (L1), English (L2), language-specific, cross-linguisticAbstract
This study examined the durational aspects of speech rhythm in Bengali (L1) and English spoken by educated Bengali advanced English learners (L2) to represent the effect of language-specific and cross-linguistic factors on speech rhythm. Employing metrics such as rateSyl, ΔC, nPVI-C, nPVI-V, VarcoV, %V, and ΔPeakLn, the study revealed that L1 exhibited a faster tempo, shorter consonants, and longer vowels relative to consonants, while L2 speech demonstrated greater variability in consonant and vowel durations, which are language-specific factors of L1 being a syllable-timed language and L2 being a stress-timed language. However, sonority patterns between syllables seemed consistent across L1 and L2 suggesting the cross-linguistic impact of L1 on L2. Moreover, the results identified the proportion of vocalic intervals (%V) as the most effective metric for differentiating between L1 and L2 rhythms.
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