Difficulties in perception of Mandarin Chinese vowels [ɤ] and [ɿ]/[ʅ] by Hungarian learners of Mandarin

Libo, Fan (2025) Difficulties in perception of Mandarin Chinese vowels [ɤ] and [ɿ]/[ʅ] by Hungarian learners of Mandarin. BESZÉDTUDOMÁNY / SPEECH SCIENCE, 5 (2). pp. 82-111. ISSN 2732-3773

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Abstract

This study investigates how Hungarian learners of Mandarin Chinese identify the vowels [7], [ę], and [ğ], which are absent from Hungarian phonology. It focuses on how learners distinguish the mid vowel [7] from high vowels [ę]/[ğ] at different stages of learning and explores the factors influencing their perception. Two main variables are considered: the quality of input (native vs. non-native Chinese teachers) and the quantity of input (beginner vs. intermediate learners). Consonant context as a variable also appears in the analysis, along with qualitative formant measurements on the samples of the perception test, investigating and establishing a possible explanation for the results. Participants included 21 beginners and 10 intermediate learners. Beginners were divided into three subgroups based on teacher type: native Chinese, Hungarian L2 speakers of Chinese, and both. Intermediate learners were taught by both types of teachers. An X(AB) perceptual identification test was used to investigate the perception of Chinese vowels [7] and [ę]/[ğ] among Hungarian learners of Chinese. Results showed that [7] was identified less accurately than the high vowels. Learners taught by a native speaker performed better, highlighting the importance of input quality. Surprisingly, intermediate learners did not outperform beginners, which may be due to orthographic interference and fossilisation of pronunciation skills rising from the elimination of pronunciation training in advanced classes. Overall, the study suggests that both teacher background and the writing system affect the perceptual identification.

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