The Relationship Between L2 Speech Perception and Production

Abstract

While the relationship between first language (L1) speech perception and production is well described in the literature, relatively little research has investigated the relationship between second language (L2) speech perception and production. This chapter provides an overview of what we know about this complex topic. It considers ways in which L2 speech perception and production follow a similar path to that observed in L1 acquisition, and ways in which it is fundamentally different. The chapter details the most common behavioural methods for collecting L2 perception and production data, along with quantitative acoustic measures of speech production. It emphasizes how choices in research design may explain contradictory findings, especially when incommensurate measures are used to compare speech perception with speech production. The chapter discusses evidence for a relationship between L2 speech perception and production from studies that have specifically examined the question, both at fixed points in time, and in the context of instructional interventions. In addition to offering suggestions for classroom application, the chapter describes how future research might approach the question to expand our understanding of this topic, which is fundamental to higher order language learning.