The interface between perception and production in L2 English vowels

Abstract

The study explores the interface between perception and production in L2 English vowels focusing on the precedence relationship and the correlation between perception and production. To that end, 34 Korean EFL learners identified 12 English vowels presented in the bVt word structure and their productions of the same English vowels were identified by native English speakers. The results revealed that overall the precedence relationship of perception over production was attested but not across all the target vowels. The results also showed that similar error patterns were observed in perception and production for the same vowels. However, no correlation was found between perception and production, suggesting that L2 speech perception and production may not develop in tandem. The findings of the study are discussed in light of L2 learning, especially in light of the development of L2 perception and production skills.