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Kazakova O.V. [New Englishes: speech perception and comprehension problems] World of Science. Series: Sociology, Philology, Cultural Studies, 2019, Vol. 10, No. 2. Available at: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/28FLSK219.pdf (in Russian).

New Englishes: speech perception and comprehension problems

Kazakova Olga Viktorovna
Military academy of the defence ministry of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
E-mail: Kazakovaolga2906@yandex.ru

Abstract. The paper focuses on New Englishes, which developed in former British colonies and are extensively spoken at present, functioning as a second official language (L2) in those territories. Due to a long-time substratum interference, New Englishes have acquired a number of distinctive features, which make them significantly different from Standard English. The major difference lies in their unique phonetic features. Their phonetic characteristics may hinder speech perception and comprehension in cross-cultural communications, which eventually may result in communication breakdown. Speech perception and comprehension difficulties, caused by deviations from Standard English pronunciation, correspond closely to the issues of intelligibility and comprehensibility of non-native English varieties. The problem is especially relevant today, when L2 speakers have considerably outnumbered native speakers.

In an attempt to contribute to the solution of the speech perception and comprehension problems, the author of the article singles out the most typical phonetic features of New Englishes in relation to phonemes, rhythm, accentuation and melody. The author also points to the need of a comprehensive research of the varieties in the field of linguistics and their vital presence in listening comprehension activity, when teaching English as a foreign language.

Keywords: New Englishes; phonetics; spoken speech; intelligibility; comprehensibility; Standard English pronunciation; national identity

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