Production of gutturals by non-native speakers of Arabic

This paper investigates the production of Arabic gutturals by native (NSs) and non-native speakers (NNSs) Arabic. A total 40 participants, 20 NSs NNSs were recruited. 240 tokens collected using two major methods: free speech nonsense word testing. Using PRAAT software (version 6.1.01), analyzed acoustically to measure F1 F2 signal (non)significance difference between target groups auditorily rate gutturals’ accuracy NNSs. vowels neighbouring normalized speaker extrinsic Labov ANAE method (NORM version 1.1) eliminate effects gender age. The study demonstrates some important findings: in terms quality, F1-F2 approximation varies nativeness that unable make enough coarticulatory associated with gutturals. result indicates do not a sufficient primary constriction posterior regions vocal tract. Relying on auditory judgments accuracy, most accurately produced voiceless glottal fricative /h/ followed plosive /ʔ/, lowest ranked voiced velar /ɣ/ pharyngeal /ʕ/. concludes non-temporal cues especially are essential correlates production. Because such factors language-specific, they should be taken into consideration teaching as second/foreign language.