My great big problem with vowels

Abstract

How vowels are produced in a second language (L2) is determined by several factors. One is cross-language mapping: how/if vowels in the L2 phonetic system are categorized in terms of native language (L1) vowels and the extent to which they are judged to resemble the L1 vowels perceptually. Another is input: the quantity and quality of the L2 vowels to which learners have been exposed. L1- L2 mapping patterns are sometimes reported in studies of L2 vowel learning, but they may differ across individuals and change as learners gain L2 experience. Coarse estimates of quantity of L2 input are usually reported but estimates of exposure to foreign-accented L2 input are virtually non-existent. Even if we had adequate measures of L2 input, other serious problems would remain. Once the L1 phonetic system is established, language users may attend less to the surface phonetic properties of vowels they hear when conversing in the L1 and also in the L2. This talk will focus on problems inherent in (a) understanding how the phonetic input received in an L2 is used, and (b) gauging degree of L2 learning success.