The fluency principle: Why foreign accent strength negatively biases language attitudes

Two experiments tested the prediction that heavy foreign-accented speakers are evaluated more negatively than mild foreign-accented speakers because the former are perceived as more prototypical (i.e., representative) of their respective group and their speech disrupts listeners’ processing fluency (i.e., is more difficult to process). Participants listened to a mild or heavy Punjabi- (Study 1) or Mandarin-accented (Study 2) speaker. Compared to the mild-accented speaker, the heavy-accented speaker in both studies was attributed less status (but not solidarity), was perceived as more prototypical of their respective group, disrupted listeners’ processing fluency, and elicited a more negative affective reaction. The negative effects of accent strength on status were mediated by processing fluency and sequentially by processing fluency and affect, but not by prototypicality. Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications are discussed.     

从认知心理角度看二语习得中的语言迁移

语言迁移从某些方面影响了二语习得。笔者根据Kellerman提出的心理类型(Psychotypology)、典型性(Prototypicality)及标记性理论(markeduess theory),试图从认知心理角度来探讨语言迁移问题。     

论心理典型对二语习得的影响——以一般疑问句的答语为例

标记性理论认为语言迁移方面有两个相互作用的因素:心理类型和典型性,这两个因素都是学习者对母语和目的语的感知。标记性理论为研究第二语言习得中的母语迁移提供了理论基础和研究方向。一般疑问句作为英语中一个最基本的句型,也有其心理原型。学习者在使用中,因为受典型性认知的影响而经常会犯错误。基于心理类型理论和典型性理论,以一般疑问句为例,通过实验研究,进一步验证心理典型在二语习得中的影响,考查心理典型影响二语习得的条件,以发挥母语正迁移的作用,真正提高学生的语用能力和实际交际能力。