A signal processing perspective of Chinese learners´ phonation in English narrow focus syllable “-/a//C_(C)”

This paper conducts acoustic experiments from a signal processing perspective, to examine the English “-/a/ /C_ (C)” narrow focus syllable processing strategy of Chinese L2 learners of English. The research discusses OQ and SQ as key phonatory acoustic parameters. A result of “tight” Chinese CV structure in contrast with a “loose” English CV(C) structure obtained from our previous study has been verified in the current research. Male speakers control their glottis to a much lower position to lengthen the vocal tract and produce more energy, which is represented by higher SQ, for a narrow focus token. The matrix distance reflects L1´s traces in the interlanguage system.