Abstract
In recent years, research in the field of Second Language Acquisition has highlighted the importance of individual differences in in L2 speech production, particularly in relation to the way in which cognitive, social, and psychological factors impact language learning outcomes. Our research project aimed to explore the impact that multiple factors related to individual differences have on adult non-native speakers’ abilities to imitate phrases in both a familiar L2 (English) and an unfamiliar L2 (Mandarin Chinese) language. The independent variables were drawn from the existing literature. These were: auditory processing abilities, personality, L2 experience in English, musical perception aptitude, and working memory skills. Participants’ L2 speech imitation abilities were measured by native speakers. The study found a significant main effect of backwards working memory scores on both familiar and unfamiliar L2s. More importantly, participants' imitation abilities in a familiar L2 are affected by their self-reported L2 proficiency more so than aptitude-related factors. Finally, a significant two-way interaction of language amplitude risetime indicated that the participants’ auditory processing abilities had significantly greater effects on the imitation of an unfamiliar L2 than on a familiar L2. This study expanded our understanding of the role of individual differences in L2 speech production and highlighted the importance of auditory processing abilities in L2 speech production, especially in the initial stages of producing utterances in an L2.
Bio
The researchers are all students in their first year of the MA in Multilingualism: Ioanna Ioannidou, Ilaria Marazzina, Paula Pericacho, Béibhinn Reardon, and Lu Xing.