Acquisition of the low vowel in L2 Spanish by Chinese speakers

Abstract

This research aims to characterise the timbre of the low vowel [a] in the spontaneous speech of the Spanish interlanguage spoken by Chinese people at different learning stages and to determine the convergent and divergent features of Peninsular Spanish. In addition, we will assess variables including L1, gender, level of Spanish proficiency and (a)tonicity of the vowel to see the extent to which these factors influence the acquisition of the sound. Using methods of quantitative linguistic typology, calculation of accuracy and precision, the results indicate that in the interlanguage (IL) the [a] is more open than in Spanish; that the IL is a dynamic system that improves the timbre of the vowel [a] with increased Spanish input; that gender and (a)tonicity factors influence learning; and that L1 influences the vowel [a] in the IL for beginner learners, with fossilisation occurring at higher levels.