Knowledge of word stress patterns in English in Korean Learners: The case of English trisyllabic nouns

Abstract

This study aims to explore Korean learner knowledge of word stress patterns in English trisyllabic nouns. Building upon the previous findings from Guion (2005), further studies should look at data regarding more syllabically complex words. While the stress placement rules in English require at least three syllables to be applied, the study (Guion, 2005) only observed the individuals’ stress placement patterns in English disyllabic words. The prevalence of longer polysyllabic words in the English language necessitates observation of Korean learner speech patterns in English trisyllabic words. A total of 16 Korean learners of English participated in the experiments that explore the distributional patterns of stress placement based on word type (i.e., nonwords and real words) and syllable stress position on English trisyllabic nouns. Compared to that of native English speakers, Korean learners of English showed significantly higher error rate on stress placement rules in English nouns—particularly higher error rates on production and perception of nonwords, compared to that of English real words. The predictive factors (word type, syllable structure, and syllable weight) had a significant effect on the stress placement on both groups. Based on the results, our goal is to discuss how the learners use their previous language learning experience when they decide on which syllable to apply stress.