Effects of Age of Learning on Voice Onset Time: Categorical Perception of Swedish Stops by Near-native L2 Speakers

• DOI: 10.1177/0023830913508760
• Publication Date: 2013-11-28T01:40:19Z
• Authors: Katrin Stölten; Niclas Abrahamsson; Kenneth Hyltenstam
• Keywords: Voice-onset time

This study examined the effects of age onset (AO) L2 acquisition on categorical perception voicing contrast in Swedish word-initial stops varying voice time (VOT). Three continua created basis natural word pairs with /p-b/, /t-d/, /k-/ initial position were presented to 41 Spanish early (AO < 12) and late > near-native speakers Swedish. Fifteen native served as controls. Categorizations influenced by AO listener status L1/L2 speaker, that learners deviated most from native-speaker perception. In addition, only a small minority perceived way comparable categorization, while demonstrated nativelike categorization patterns. However, when results combined learners’ production voiceless (Stölten, 2005; Stölten, Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam, press), was never found among learners, majority still exhibited It is concluded that, despite their being mother-tongue listeners, do not, after detailed phonetic scrutiny, exhibit fully command VOT. Consequently, rather than second language, these individuals not constitute evidence necessary reject hypothesis one or several critical (or sensitive) periods for language acquisition.