Influential factors on the production of English /θ/ by Japanese learners of English

Abstract

This study investigates the linguistic and sociolinguistic factors which trigger high frequency of /s/-substitution (i.e. the substitution of /s/ for /θ/) by Japanese-speaking learners of English. From the production experiment participated by 8 Japanese learners, it was found that /s/-substitution was more likely to occur in a stressed syllable before high vowels in a longer word, with /s/ in proximity, and in more spontaneous speech. The results of this study could be applied to pedagogical strategies to help Japanese learners overcome their pronunciation difficulties more efficiently.