An analysis of the comprehensibility and attitudes towards non-standard L1 English accents for Chinese L2 English speakers

Thesis

The present study aimed to explore levels of comprehensibility of non-standard, native English accents for non-native English speakers, and their attitudes towards such. It also sought to interrogate whether there was desire for non-standard, native English accents to be incorporated into the English language teaching classroom. This issue is particularly relevant given that in the context of global English language teaching, students are mainly exposed to the Received Pronunciation standard. Furthermore, a review of the literature demonstrated that language attitudes towards non-standard accents are complex and multi-faceted, particularly on behalf of non-native speakers. To that end, a mixed-methods approach was used within the study, including a Verbal Guise Test (VGT) administered to 32 Chinese L2 English speakers in higher education across England, as well as several semi-structured follow-up interviews. Both Friedman’s ANOVA and Spearman’s Rho tests were used to investigate the quantitative inquiry, and the qualitative data was explored using a thematic analysis. While the results were consistent with the multi-dimensional nature of such language attitudes, the review of the literature indicates a significant gap surrounding attitudes of non-native speakers towards such. On the one hand, within the current study, participants were keen to express a desire to be exposed to different language varieties within the English language classroom. On the other hand, the previous lack of exposure to such varieties may have led to a lack of comprehensibility of such accents, which in turn has likely led to subsequent negative attitudes towards such. These findings demonstrate a need for English language classrooms to more accurately reflect the English-speaking world learners will communicate in, and for accent variation to be embraced earlier on in English language curricula. These developments will help both to improve communication between native and non-native speakers, as well as ameliorate some of the perpetuated negative attitudes towards non-standard variation around the globe.

Authors: Gurney, R

• Alternative title: Comprehensibility and attitudes of non-standard L1 English accents
• Type of award: MSc taught course
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Learning; Attitudes; TESOL; Accent; Non-standard; Comprehensibility; ESL; EFL
• Subjects: Linguistics; English Language