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THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF MANDARIN

HARRIS, DAWN FAIRLEY
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022165161

Abstract Details

2002, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Allied Health Sciences : Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Corporate Speech-Language Pathologists work as consultants with corporate employees in the areas of accent modification and speech improvement. However, research in this area of service has been minimal. An examination of the two major approaches to pronunciation training (segmental and multi-segmental) should be addressed when planning treatment goals. In addition, attention should be given to specific techniques that will be utilized in order to promote improvements in pronunciation, especially in day-to-day life contexts. The purpose of this study was three-fold: (a) to evaluate differences in trained listener ratings of pre/post performance in pronunciation for ESL speakers participating in a pronunciation training program, (b) to determine if there were differences in characteristics of goals, approaches and techniques used with subjects demonstrating “high” and “low” levels of pronunciation improvement, and (c) to determine if there were differences in untrained listener ratings of pre/post performance in pronunciation for ESL speakers participating in a pronunciation training program. An adapted screening protocol was developed to determine the effects of pronunciation training on the speech of 12 adult Mandarin Chinese speakers receiving training and 15 Mandarin Chinese speakers who received no training. Both groups were given pre and post assessment tests. The screening protocol assessed the areas of articulation, rate, intonation and loudness. After receiving pronunciation training, the experimental group was rated by a group of 15 untrained listeners. The parameters used to rate the untrained listeners were articulation, rate, intonation, and loudness. Results of this study support the idea that improvement in pronunciation occurs over time, but does not necessarily depend on formal training. A post-hoc analysis revealed that although subjects attended pronunciation training for a total of 7 sessions for 45 minutes each, their improvements were similar to those who did not receive any pronunciation training. It also revealed that since subjects in both the experimental and control groups had been in the United States for approximately 2 months prior to beginning pronunciation training, it is likely that observed improvements in English might be due to English language immersion.
Dr. Gloriajean Wallace (Advisor)
102 p.
Health Sciences, Speech Pathology
pronunciation; training; Chinese

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • HARRIS, D. F. (2002). THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF MANDARIN [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022165161

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • HARRIS, DAWN. THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF MANDARIN. 2002. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022165161.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • HARRIS, DAWN. "THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING ON THE PRONUNCIATION OF MANDARIN." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1022165161

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1022165161
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.