DOES HAVING GOOD ARTICULATORY SKILLS LEAD TO MORE FLUENT SPEECH IN FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGES?

Nivja H. De Jong,Joan C. Mora

doi:10.1017/s0272263117000389

Nivja H. De Jong, Joan C. Mora

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s0272263117000389

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Abstract

AbstractSpeaking fluently requires three main processes to run smoothly: conceptualization, formulation, and articulation. This study investigates to what extent fluency in spontaneous speech in both first (L1) and second (L2) languages can be explained by individual differences in articulatory skills. A group of L2 English learners (n = 51) performed three semispontaneous speaking tasks in their L1 Spanish and in their L2 English. In addition, participants performed articulatory skill tasks that measured the speed at which their articulatory speech plans could be initiated (delayed picture naming) and the rate and accuracy at which their articulatory gestures could be executed (diadochokinetic production). The results showed that fluency in spontaneous L2 speech can be predicted by L1 fluency, replicating earlier studies and showing that L2 fluency measures are, to a large degree, measures of personal speaking style. Articulatory skills were found to contribute modestly to explaining variance in both L1 and L2 fluency.

Highlights

Speakers’ oral fluency depends to a large extent on their ability to execute the conceptualization and formulation of messages effectively and on their ability to translate formulated messages into articulatory actions smoothly during the speech production process
This study investigates to what extent fluency in spontaneous speech in both first (L1) and second (L2) languages can be explained by individual differences in articulatory skills
In the current research report, we focus on this last stage of speech production and investigate to what extent individual differences in articulatory skills may be predictive of individual differences in L1 and L2 fluency

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Speakers’ oral fluency depends to a large extent on their ability to execute the conceptualization and formulation of messages effectively and on their ability to translate formulated messages into articulatory actions smoothly during the speech production process. In addition to explaining individual differences in L2 fluency by proficiency or L2 experience-related factors, researchers have shown that aspects of L2 fluency can carry over from how speakers speak in their L1. In another study correlating a number of fluency measures between L1 and L2, De Jong et al (2015) had L1 English and L1 Turkish speakers with intermediate to advanced proficiency in L2 Dutch carry out eight speaking tasks in each language, matched in difficulty and setting for L1 and L2. In the current research report, we focus on this last stage of speech production and investigate to what extent individual differences in articulatory skills may be predictive of individual differences in L1 and L2 fluency. We hypothesize that fluency in spontaneous speech, irrespective of language, depends in part on individual differences in how fast and efficiently an individual can accomplish articulatory targets in the production of sound sequences (i.e., in articulatory skills). We predict that measures of fluency in L1 Spanish are related to measures of fluency in L2 English

Method

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Results

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION