The effects of a second dialect on speech perception measurement

Abstract

This study examined the effects of dialects, age of acquisition (AoA) of Cantonese as a second language (L2) and language experience on L2 speech perception ability. The Cantonese version of the Hearing In Noise Test (CHINT) was administered to 25 native Cantonese speakers and 31 non-native Cantonese speakers with varying AoA of L2. Language experience was measured using the self-report Chinese version of Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q). Results showed that speakers who learned Cantonese after school age had poorer L2 speech perception ability; while speakers who learned Cantonese before school age had comparable L2 speech perception ability as native speakers. AoA of L2, proficiency in understanding L2 and duration of L2 exposure in Hong Kong were found to be predictive of L2 speech perception ability. The findings also suggest that late AoA of L2 may have an impact on speech audiometric measurements.