Can Non-Native English Speakers Detect and Identify Native English Speakers’ Dialectal Variations? Rebecca Austerman

Side One Yes – Non-native English speakers are able to detect and identify native English speakers’ dialectal variations. Most researchers have concluded that non-native speakers’ proficiency in identifying various dialects depends upon the dialects and accents of English that they are most accustomed to.

No – Non-native English speakers may be able to detect dialectal variations in English, but are not able to identify them. Research suggests that non-native English speakers do perceive a difference in dialects, but unlike native English speakers, are unable to identify which dialect is being spoken. For example, even though the average American is not exposed to an Irish accent on a daily or even monthly basis, if a native English speaker were to hear the accent, they would readily be able to identify it. This is not the case with non-native speakers of English. Side Two

Methodology – Participants (non-native English speakers) are asked to identify recordings of 5 different dialects of English. The dialects of English to be identified are: Irish-English British-English Australian-English New York-English Southern-American English

Methodology – Each participant must have studied English for more than four years, and must be proficient in the language. Information is collected on the dialects and accents that each of the participants have been exposed to. This will help in determining whether dialect-exposure does have an effect on the identification of other dialects. The data gathered is then used to determine whether or not non-native speakers of English can effectively identify different dialects of English.

The Speech Accent Archive: Sample –

Results – Participants are able to recognize that there are differences between the dialects, but most are unable to identify which dialect is being spoken. However, over half of the participants can correctly identify the New York and Southern-American accents as being American dialects of English.

Conclusion Thus Far…

Further Analysis – What English dialects are being taught in schools? Consonant differentiation vs. Vowel differentiation Vocabulary Can native English speakers really identify dialects better than non-native speakers?