SWEDISH AND SOMALI LISTENERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS L2 SWEDISH SPEECH

Abstract

Foreign accented speech does not always have an impact on intelligibility. However, a foreign accent may have an impact on verbal communication even though the listener understands the message and this is often related to listeners’ attitude. It is shown that listeners with the same first language (L1) rate their own accent more positively and comprehensible in comparison to listeners with other linguistic backgrounds. On the other hand, other studies show the opposite without any indication for intelligibility advantage for a speaker with the same first language as the listeners. Phonetic and phonological contrasts between languages also have an impact on foreign accent and the listeners’ judgments concerning intelligibility and pleasantness. In this pilot study, the aim is to examine if Somali listeners rate speakers with a Somali accent of Swedish higher for intelligibility and pleasantness compared to native listeners of Swedish, and whether attitudes to L2 speech did or did not differ from one another.