Teaching Tips

Using English-Japanese Cognates to Enhance Pronunciation of Segments, Long Vowels/Consonants, Phonotactics, Pitch Accent, and Phonological Processes in Japanese as an Additional Language

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Abstract

Cognates are ideal inteaching L2 pronunciation. Cognates may lower cognitive load, jolting L2 learnersto become aware of and focus on the features and rules of Japanesepronunciation: mora timing (consonant/vowel length), special moras, pitchaccent, phonotactics, phonological processes, and regional/social accents.

L2 Japanese learners areexposed to cognates early on. Learners compare English-Japanese cognates,discovering pronunciation differences and patterns. [sɯ-ʃi] sushi demonstrates differing vowel quality and devoiced [ɯ]. [sa-n-do-i-t-t͡ʃi] sandwich reveals Japanesemora-based phonotactics. [i-n-ta-a-ne-t-to]LHHHHLL internet shows Japanese accent generally fallsfrom antepenultimate moras in loanwords, not necessarily reflecting theoriginal English stress. [ko-m-bi-ni]convenience store demonstrates the phonological process of place of assimilation:phoneme [ŋ] becomes [m].

This teaching tip usescognates to help learners discover Japanese pronunciation features. Learnersread/hear sample cognates, describe the features and then, apply them. Learnersreinforce pronunciation through pronunciation-focused task-based activitiesscaffolded by exercises integrated into other language skill lessons. 

Keywords: pronunciation pedagogy, phonotactics, mora timing, pitch accent, cognates

How to Cite:

Schaefer, V., Hsu, C., & Zhang, A. (2024).  Using English-Japanese Cognates to Enhance Pronunciation of Segments, Long Vowels/Consonants, Phonotactics, Pitch Accent, and Phonological Processes in Japanese as an Additional Language. In D. J. Olson, J. L. Sturm, O. Dmitrieva, & J. M. Levis (eds), Proceedings of 14th Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Conference, (pp. 1-12) Purdue University, September 2023. https://doi.org/10.31274/psllt.17053