Production of German L2 Stress by Native Speakers of English

The production of word stress in a second language (L2) is one area of difficulty for language learners. Previous studies have shown that correct word stress may be more important for the comprehensibility of non-native speech than grammatical accuracy. Studies indicate that incorrect stress patterns in an L2 are mainly due to transfer from learners’ first language (L1). This thesis examines the effect of training on the ability of English native speakers who are beginner-level learners of German to produce stress patterns in words from three distinct categories: native German words; German-English cognate words; and words with unstressed suffixes. The results reveal that training improves learners’ production of German word stress and raises learners’ awareness. Participants were more accurate in their production of native German words and those with unstressed suffixes than they were in their production of cognates. The results have implications for vocabulary teaching in L2 classrooms.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Maczuga, Paulina Stefania

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• O'Brien, Mary

• Linguistics

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/27448

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/1738