Gestural timing in non-native speech: Perception and production of Russian palatalization and devoicing

Leandro Bolaños, Yale University

Abstract

Speakers must learn to distinguish and produce non-native contrasting segments while learning a language. However, to approach native-like proficiency, non-native timing differences between features or gestures must also be learned. The goals of this study are to investigate how English speakers differing in (L2) experience in Russian differ in perception and production of Russian timing properties not present in English, specifically contrasting phones involving palatalization and a Russian phonological process - specifically final devoicing. Palatalization provides an interesting target of study because Russian palatalized consonants employ gestures which exist in English (e.g. tongue body palatalization and tongue tip constriction), but which are coordinated synchronously, unlike English. Final devoicing as a phonological process will be tested as English does employ the gestural coordination of voicing in stops, but does not neutralize in word final environment. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the link between perception and production of the non-native contrasts and final devoicing, and specifically whether perceptual ability on non-native phones and contrasts correlates with production ability.