Prosody and L2 Learning Interface: The Case of Spanish L2 and Brazilian Portuguese L1 Intonation
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Cristiane Conceição Silva
Abstract
We explore the interface between prosody and bilingualism, focusing on how Brazilian Portuguese (BP) speakers acquire the intonational patterns of Spanish as a second language (L2) and how L2 acquisition influences their native language (L1). While most research on L2 phonetics has focused on segments, prosodic features remain underexplored. This study examines wh-question intonation in Spanish L2 and BP L1 produced by Brazilian bilinguals. Using the Speech Learning Model (SLM) and its revised version (SLM-r) as a framework, we analyze L1 and L2 intonation interactions. Experimental data compare native Spanish speakers, monolingual BP speakers, and BP-Spanish bilinguals. We assess f0 contour variability using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including the dynamic time warping (DTW) technique, to measure contour differences. Results show diverse learning trajectories. Some bilinguals successfully acquire Spanish-like intonation, while others exhibit L1 transfer. Hybrid f0 patterns blending both languages suggest incomplete L2 category formation. Evidence of L2-to-L1 influence, or language attrition, emerges as bilinguals occasionally produce Spanish-like contours in BP or deviate from monolingual norms. This study highlights the bidirectional nature of L1-L2 prosodic interaction, demonstrating that learning and attrition processes are gradient rather than categorical. The findings emphasize the importance of prosodic analysis in bilingualism research and suggest avenues for further investigation into individual variation.
Abstract
We explore the interface between prosody and bilingualism, focusing on how Brazilian Portuguese (BP) speakers acquire the intonational patterns of Spanish as a second language (L2) and how L2 acquisition influences their native language (L1). While most research on L2 phonetics has focused on segments, prosodic features remain underexplored. This study examines wh-question intonation in Spanish L2 and BP L1 produced by Brazilian bilinguals. Using the Speech Learning Model (SLM) and its revised version (SLM-r) as a framework, we analyze L1 and L2 intonation interactions. Experimental data compare native Spanish speakers, monolingual BP speakers, and BP-Spanish bilinguals. We assess f0 contour variability using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including the dynamic time warping (DTW) technique, to measure contour differences. Results show diverse learning trajectories. Some bilinguals successfully acquire Spanish-like intonation, while others exhibit L1 transfer. Hybrid f0 patterns blending both languages suggest incomplete L2 category formation. Evidence of L2-to-L1 influence, or language attrition, emerges as bilinguals occasionally produce Spanish-like contours in BP or deviate from monolingual norms. This study highlights the bidirectional nature of L1-L2 prosodic interaction, demonstrating that learning and attrition processes are gradient rather than categorical. The findings emphasize the importance of prosodic analysis in bilingualism research and suggest avenues for further investigation into individual variation.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
- Prosody and L2 Learning Interface: The Case of Spanish L2 and Brazilian Portuguese L1 Intonation 1
- The Role of Prosody in the Processing of Ambiguities in Brazilian Portuguese 31
- Defining and Identifying Discourse Markers in Spontaneous Speech 65
- A Contribution to a Better Understanding of Silent Pause 103
- Perceptual and Physiological Correlates of Voice Quality Settings 127
- Multimodal Analysis of Speech Attractiveness Expression 151
- Posture and Gestures Can Affect the Prosodic Speaker Impact in a Remote Presentation 181
- An Acoustic Analysis of Creaky Voice Patterns in Singing 223
- Evaluating OpenAI’s Whisper ASR for Punctuation Prediction and Topic Modeling of life histories of the Museum of the Person 247
- Index
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
- Prosody and L2 Learning Interface: The Case of Spanish L2 and Brazilian Portuguese L1 Intonation 1
- The Role of Prosody in the Processing of Ambiguities in Brazilian Portuguese 31
- Defining and Identifying Discourse Markers in Spontaneous Speech 65
- A Contribution to a Better Understanding of Silent Pause 103
- Perceptual and Physiological Correlates of Voice Quality Settings 127
- Multimodal Analysis of Speech Attractiveness Expression 151
- Posture and Gestures Can Affect the Prosodic Speaker Impact in a Remote Presentation 181
- An Acoustic Analysis of Creaky Voice Patterns in Singing 223
- Evaluating OpenAI’s Whisper ASR for Punctuation Prediction and Topic Modeling of life histories of the Museum of the Person 247
- Index
