Sentence Prosody in a Second Language

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of (i) the intonational properties of second language (L2) speech above the word level, (ii) timing aspects, and (iii) the perception and processing of the target languages’ prosody by L2 learners. Intonationally, the chapter summarizes prosodic differences between different learner groups regarding prosodic marking of information structure (highlighting of new or contrastive information), illocution (questions or assertions), and prosodic phrasing. Apart from phonological differences, the chapter also reports phonetic differences between native language (L1) and L2 intonation, observed in particular in the alignment and scaling of the tonal targets in pitch accents. Finally, the chapter summarizes findings on the prosodic marking of expressive prosody in L2 speech. Timing-wise, it focuses on the phenomena of rhythm, tempo, and fluency in L2 speech. The chapter next moves on to an overview of work on the perception and interpretation of intonation of the target language by L2 learners (information structure, illocution, accent location, phrasing, attitudes), and also provides examples of the present knowledge of the online processing of prosody by L2 learners. The chapter then flips the perspective and presents data on how native speakers of the target language perceive foreign-accented L2 speech, regarding foreign-accentedness, intelligibility, and comprehension.