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The effect of phonological variation on adult learner comprehension

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2008

Miriam Eisenstein and
Diana Berkowitz
Miriam Eisenstein
Affiliation:
New York University
Diana Berkowitz
Affiliation:
Teachers College, Columbia
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Abstract

This research report focuses on the relationship of English phonological variation to intelligibility for adult second language learners of English. Fifty-eight adult ESL learners (29 advanced beginners and 29 high intermediates) were tested' on their ability to understand working-class (New Yorkese), educated (Standard English) and foreign-accented speakers of English. Subjects were also asked to rank these speakers according to expected ease of comprehension. Findings from this study indicate Standard English to be more intelligible than either New Yorkese or foreign accented English for these learners.

Information

Type
Research Notes
Information
Studies in Second Language Acquisition , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , fall 1981, pp. 75 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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