Comparison of Pitch Accent in Native Speakers of English & Mandarin Learners of English

Abstract

This research project was conducted as a pilot study to explore how pitch accent is used by NCES (Native Canadian English Speakers) and MLE (Mandarin Learners of English). Pitch accents are the prominent high or low tones, that are predominantly found on content words (N, V, Adv, Adj, etc.) in English. In order to compare how both speech communities use pitch accent in English, participants were given an EI (Elicited Imitation) Task. The EI involved participants hearing and then repeating a sentence. It is also reconstructive in nature meaning that the participants process the sentence, then reconstruct it with their own grammar, and finally reproduce it. The results showed that Mandarin speakers had more pitch accents than English speakers, adding pitch accents on function words (Art, Pro, Prep, etc.) as well. The results also demonstrated that Mandarin speakers had less creaky words (words said in a very low pitch, also known as laryngealization or vocal fry) than the English participants. Implications of this study concern ESL Education; such as should English pitch accent patterns and creak in English be taught to English language learners.