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Perception of the English Vowel Schwa by Czech Learners
Fajtová, Zdeňka ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Matuchová, Klára (referee)
This thesis deals with the perception of English vowels by Czech listeners with special focus on the mid-central vowel schwa. The theoretical part presents the current research findings in the area of cross-language speech perception as well as it explores the differences between Czech and English vocalic systems. Further, it focuses on the negative transfer from the mother tongue. The aim of the practical part is to examine the impact of the Czech sound system on the discrimination of the neutral vowel schwa in different positions using a perception test devised specifically for the purposes of this research. The results indicate that the students' perception is influenced quite strongly by their native language as successful schwa identification occurred in approximately fifty per cent of all examined cases.
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Influence of Phonetic Literacy on the Perception Ability of Czech Learners of English
Kaňák, Jakub ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
The thesis covers the main points of L2 acquisition with the main focus on L2 perception and production. The relevant theories concerning acquisition of L2 phonology were outlined and some important points stressed, namely, the role of L1 phonology on L2 perception and subsequently production. The subjects of final stop devoicing and pre-fortis shortening were mentioned with relation to Czech speakers of English. In the practical part, the thesis provides an account of a perceptual experiment that focused on the perception of word-final /t/ and /d/ phonemes of English by Czech students of English phonetics. It was found that Czech students are susceptible to their L1 phonology in distinguishing the voicing contrast word-finally. No significant overall correlation was found between the knowledge of pre-fortis shortening and the performance in a subsequent perceptual test. Key words: speech perception, phonetics, phonology, second language acquisition
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(Non)rhoticity in English pronunciation teaching
Kobák, Anett ; Uličná, Klára (advisor) ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (referee)
This diploma thesis deals with the role of rhoticity in English pronunciation teaching. The theoretical part focuses on the characterisation of rhoticity as a distinctive feature of English accents. It describes and compares approaches to pronunciation teaching and the factors which influence the choice of pronunciation models in English language teaching. It also introduces the development of English as a lingua franca and its impact on pronunciation. Finally, it characterises the processes of speech perception. The practical part describes the creation and implementation of research which aimed at the discovery of the degree of intelligibility and comprehensibility of rhotic and non-rhotic samples of speech. The results imply that Czech learners of English find non-rhotic speech less intelligible and more difficult to understand. Key words rhoticity, non-rhoticity, pronunciation teaching, speech perception, intelligibility, comprehensibility
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Důvěryhodnost rodilých a nerodilých mluvčích angličtiny podle nerodilých posluchačů
Hanzlíková, Dagmar ; Skarnitzl, Radek (advisor) ; Šturm, Pavel (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the influence of foreign accent on credibility of non- native speakers of English. The study was inspired by Lev-Ari and Keysar (2010), who observed that native speakers of English are less likely to believe non-native speakers. In our research we used the same set of statements and similar settings of the experiment to find out whether foreign accent will have the same negative effect on credibility of non- native speakers as perceived by non-native listeners. 6 native speakers from Britain and the USA, and 6 non-native speakers recorded the set of trivia statements for the test and 45 non-native listeners rated on a scale whether they thought the statement they hear is true or not. The results were analysed from multiple points of view such as the influence of accent on credibility, the influence of gender on credibility, and we have also analysed the individual speakers and items in the test to see if the results could be influenced by the behaviour of one individual speaker or an item. The results of the experiment revealed that foreign accent has a negative effect on the credibility of non-native speakers as perceived by non-native listeners. Czech respondents rated British accent of English to be the most credible, while people who spoke with a foreign...
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Perception of the English Vowel Schwa by Czech Learners
Fajtová, Zdeňka ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Matuchová, Klára (referee)
This thesis deals with the perception of English vowels by Czech listeners with special focus on the mid-central vowel schwa. The theoretical part presents the current research findings in the area of cross-language speech perception as well as it explores the differences between Czech and English vocalic systems. Further, it focuses on the negative transfer from the mother tongue. The aim of the practical part is to examine the impact of the Czech sound system on the discrimination of the neutral vowel schwa in different positions using a perception test devised specifically for the purposes of this research. The results indicate that the students' perception is influenced quite strongly by their native language as successful schwa identification occurred in approximately fifty per cent of all examined cases.
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Influence of Phonetic Literacy on the Perception Ability of Czech Learners of English
Kaňák, Jakub ; Červinková Poesová, Kristýna (advisor) ; Farrell, Mark Robert (referee)
The thesis covers the main points of L2 acquisition with the main focus on L2 perception and production. The relevant theories concerning acquisition of L2 phonology were outlined and some important points stressed, namely, the role of L1 phonology on L2 perception and subsequently production. The subjects of final stop devoicing and pre-fortis shortening were mentioned with relation to Czech speakers of English. In the practical part, the thesis provides an account of a perceptual experiment that focused on the perception of word-final /t/ and /d/ phonemes of English by Czech students of English phonetics. It was found that Czech students are susceptible to their L1 phonology in distinguishing the voicing contrast word-finally. No significant overall correlation was found between the knowledge of pre-fortis shortening and the performance in a subsequent perceptual test. Key words: speech perception, phonetics, phonology, second language acquisition
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