An experimental study of the production of English diphthongs by Chinese college EFL learners: An acoustic perspective

摘要

In acoustic study of English diphthongs, one feature governs the diphthong formant movement is the diphthongization feature-formant rate of change. Acoustic analysis indicates that there are substantial differences on first and second formant rate of change between college EFL learners and RP speakers. Generally speaking, for fronting and backing diphthongs, change of vowel location in the production of college EFL learners are not as obvious and marked as RP speakers, that is to say, learners have trouble in sufficient realization of the gliding movement. While for centering dipthhongs, change of vowel location is excessive in the production of college EFL learners where is not necessary, and the degree of diphthongization is beyond standard realization.