Perception of American English consonants /v/ and /w/ by Hindi speakers of English

Abstract This study examined perception of the American English (AE) /v/-/w/ consonant contrast by Hindi speakers as a second language (L2). A aim was to determine whether residence in US modulated this difficult for proficient bilingual Hindi-English listeners. Two groups bilinguals (the first resided more than five years, lived India) and group AE-speaking listeners participated study. Listeners’ identification discrimination nonsense words (e.g., “vagag” vs. “wagag”) were examined. performed significantly less accurately AE controls. Accuracy near chance higher-than-chance discrimination. Exposure did not improve performance. These results are consistent with previous studies late L2 learners extend findings population that an before arriving environment.