Psycho-Social Constraints on Naturalistic Adult Second Language Acquisition

The following study investigated a rare case of adult immersion in second language context without prior exposure to the language. It aimed investigate whether Length Residence (LoR) acts as strong index L2 speech performance when coupled with daily and interaction first speakers. Twenty-two females from Africa Asia who worked Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDH) Omani homes varying LoRs performed an AX discrimination production task which tapped into consonants clusters that are absent their L1s; accent was also rated by L1 listeners. Results showed surprising lack significance LoR on all perception measures examined. Discrimination results low sensitivity Arabic consonantal contrasts lacking across participants, small positive effect literacy. Production exhibited accuracy marked foreign judged listeners, We argue nature interactions between FDH employers, along uneven power relations social distance, counteract any advantage setting examined here.