The Metrical Parameters of Word Stress Production and Perception among Iraqi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners

Zainab Abbodi Ali ,Alias Abd Ghani

doi:10.21315/kajh2016.23.s2.6

Abstract

The Metrical Parameters of Word Stress Production and Perception among Iraqi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners

Highlights

According to Crystal (1997), English is one of the most common spoken and taught language across the world since English is regarded as an international language of choice (EIL), or in a more recent phenomena which is known as English as a lingua franca (EIF)
This study examines how Iraqi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners produce and perceive English word stress placement using the metrical parameters of Dresher and Kaye (1990) in order to understand how the glocalisation process has influenced the English language and communication among Iraqi learners since the correct stress placement in the word is essential to speak English language correctly
The findings show that the learners are able to reset the default values of universal grammar (UG) rather than those of their L1 since all the parameters settings of Cairo Egyptian Arabic (CA) corresponded to the default setting in UG

Summary

Introduction

According to Crystal (1997), English is one of the most common spoken and taught language across the world since English is regarded as an international language of choice (EIL), or in a more recent phenomena which is known as English as a lingua franca (EIF). Smith (1983) recommends the use of EIL as a teaching method rather than the traditional English as a Foreign Language (EFL) one since learners tend to adopt a localised variety of English when communicating with others. It is a variety which is unique, one that should not be considered as erroneous or deficient. Sharifian (2013) on the other hand adds that despite the globalisation of English, it has become increasingly localised by many communities of speakers around the world, adopting it to encode and express their cultural conceptualisations This leads to the development of many varieties of English.

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Results

Conclusion