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Article

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Accepted version

Publication date

2023-06-21

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220269

Individual differences in attention control and the processing of phonological contrasts in a second language

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https://doi.org/10.1515/phon-2022-0020

Abstract

This study investigated attention control in L2 phonological processing from a cognitive individual differences perspective, to determine its role in predicting phonological acquisition in adult L2 learning. Participants were 21 L1-Spanish learners of English, and 19 L1-English learners of Spanish. Attention control was measured through a novel speech-based attention-switching task. Phonological processing was assessed through a speeded ABX categorization task (perception) and a delayed sentence repetition task (production). Correlational analyses indicated that learners with more efficient attention switching skill and faster speed in correctly identifying the target phonetic features in the speech dimension under focus could perceptually discriminate L2 vowels at higher processing speed, but not at higher accuracy rates. Thus, attentional flexibility provided a processing advantage for difficult L2 contrasts but did not predict the extent to which precise representations for the target L2 vowels had been established. However, attention control was related to L2 learners’ ability to distinguish the contrasting L2 vowels in production. In addition, L2 learners’ accuracy in perceptually distinguishing between two contrasting vowels was significantly related to how much of a quality distinction between them they could make in production.

Subject

Anglès, Adquisició d'una segona llengua, Fonologia

Subject (English)

English language, Second language acquisition, Phonology

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Articles publicats en revistes (Llengües i Literatures Modernes i Estudis Anglesos)

Citation

MORA BONILLA, Joan Carles and DARCY, Isabelle. Individual differences in attention control and the processing of phonological contrasts in a second language. Phonetica. 2023. Vol. 80, num. 3-4, pags. 153-184. ISSN 0031-8388. [consulted: 10 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220269

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