The effect of previous language experience and ‘proper’ L2 input on the aspiration of English voiceless stops by Polish adult immigrants to London

Abstract

The study explores the effect of language experience (with emphasis on the level of L2 1 proficiency on arrival in the UK and the quality of L2 input) in 24 Polish adult immigrants to London who have been learning their L2 on a daily basis in natural surroundings.Participants were divided into groups according to the abovementioned criteria. The phonetic parameter under investigation is VOT 2 in voiceless aspirated stops /p/, /t/ and /k/ in word-initial positions, analysed on the basis of a reading task and then measured in Praat. The qualitative data were collected by means of a structured interview.The results suggest the importance of the level of English proficiency in L2 on arrival in the L2 country and its influence on the phonetic system developed by each learner individually. L2 pronunciation level can be developed mainly through the frequent use of the L2 in communication with native-speakers of the language.

Acculturation Strategy and its Influence on the use of Rhoticity by Polish Adult Immigrants to Wales

“…The results indicate that adopting such strategies as assimilation and integration may influence the SLA process, particularly when combined with a high level of English proficiency on arrival. Matysiak's (2016Matysiak's ( , 2020 studies appear to validate that L2 learners who were more skilled in L1 upon arrival had an advantage over those who came to the United Kingdom as novices. More recent studies by Matysiak and Woźniak (2021) on a group of Polish immigrants to Wales support this observation.…”

“…As previously stated, there is currently a limited number of research examining the usage of rhoticity or its absence among Polish immigrants to the United Kingdom. More recent studies (Waniek-Klimczak, Matysiak, 2016;Zając, 2016;Waniek-Klimczak, Zając, 2017) indicate that the variable usage of rhoticity may serve as a speech signal or be the result of an imperfect L2 acquisition.…”

“…It has been hypothesised that certain aspects of L2 pronunciation, such as target-like traits, are influenced by internal and external factors in the SLA process (Piske et al, 2001).Such factors as age of arrival (AoA), length of residence (LoR), or the amount of L1 and L2 input immigrants receive daily can affect their second language speaking skills. Waniek-Klimczak (2011), Matysiak (2016Matysiak ( , 2020 and Matysiak & Woźniak (2021) have found that acculturation strategy paired with other personal and social characteristics may also be a crucial component that determines L2 speakers' pronunciation. Rhoticity is a phonetic characteristic frequently chosen as a phonetic parameter since it is regarded as one of the most striking qualities of British English pronunciation (Waniek-Klimczak, 2011;Zając, 2016).…”