Abstract
Most L1 and L2 Standard Mandarin (SM) perception tests focus on the four lexical tones. However, none take into account the neutral tone (NT) for L2 speakers, and few do for L1 speakers (e.g., Yang, 2010). Pitch onset aside, the relatively short duration of NT syllables is assumed to be their primary perceptual cue (Lin and Yan, 1980). This study tested which perceptual cues are used by L1 and L2 groups. To this end, 9 L1 and 9 L2 learners (L1 British English) participated in a five-way alternative forced-choice tone identification task. Three minimal pair disyllabic tokens containing NT were used as stimuli. Syllables carrying NT were manipulated in PRAAT using steps of 30, 50, 70, and 100% manipulation for pitch and/or duration. Pitch was progressively manipulated to mimic that of a lexical tone, while duration progressively approached that of a lexical tone in second syllable position. This study found that L2s rely primarily on duration to identify NT, while L1s rely primarily on pitch. This expands p...
Published Version
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