Some Prosodic Characteristics of Taiwan English Accent

The present study examines prosodic characteristics of Taiwan (TW) English in relation to native (L1) English and TW speakers’ mother tongue, Mandarin. The aim is to investigate 1) how TW second-language (L2) English is different from L1 English by integrated prosodic features 2) if any transfer effect from L2s’ mother tongue contributes to L2 accent and 3) What is the similarity/difference between L1 and L2 by prosodic patterns of word/sentence. Results show the prosody of TW L2 English is distinct from L1 English; however, TW L2 English and TW Mandarin share common prosodic characteristics which differentiate from L1 English. Analysis by individual prosodic feature shows distinct L2 features of TW English which might attribute to prosodic transfer of Mandarin. One feature is less tempo contrast in sentence that contributes to different rhythm; another is narrower loudness range of word stress that contributes to less strong/weak distinction. By examining prosodic patterns of word/sentence, similarity analysis suggests L1 and L2 speakers produce prosodic patterns with great within-group consistency respectively but their within-group patterns are distinct to counterpart group. One pattern is loudness of sentence and another one is timing/pitch patterns of word. The above prosodic transfer effect and distinct TW L2 patterns of prosody are found in relation to syntax-induced narrow focus and lexicon-defined word stress which echo our previous studies of TW L2 English and could be implemented to CALL development.