Perception and Production of Consonants of English by Pakistani Speakers

Abstract

This paper depicts a comprehensive picture of consonants of Pakistani English (PakE). The study shows that PakE speakers neutralize aspiration contrast in English stops. In the PakE, /t/ in /st/ cluster on onset of a word (e.g., steal) is produced with more aspiration than that on syllable-initial position without preceding /s/ (e.g., in "teach"). Besides, /t d/ are produced with strong retroflexion but /t/ in tautosyllabic /st/ clusters on word-initial position is produced without retroflexion. Voiced stops are produced with pre-voicing. Dental fricatives /θ ð/ produced by native speakers of English are perceived as [f z] or [s v] by PakE speakers but they produce these fricatives as stop. PakE speakers can realize a difference between clear and dark lateral of English in perception although they do not maintain the same difference in production as they produce English lateral as a clear lateral on onset and coda of syllables. Coronal fricative /ʒ/ is perceived and produced as approximant /j/ and /v w/ as a labial approximant. In PakE [r] is produced with strong trilling and rhoticity on all word-positions.

Deviation from the standard pronunciation of English: 350 words in Pakistani English

“…I have also observed while preparing the list of words for the present study that speakers clearly pronounce /t/ with much exertion even when native English speakers do not pronounce it so emphatically in words like right, silent, and present, etc. As suggested by Syed (2017) and Riaz (2015), the present study also confirms that Pakistani speakers find it hard to pronounce /ŋ/, as in think or learning.…”

“…Regarding aspiration in Pakistani English, Syed et al, (2017) also note, "Pakistanis produce voiceless stops without aspiration in even stressed positions" and this issue arises "mainly because of English orthography which does not maintain aspiration contrast in spelling (p. 206). Syed et al, (2017) also note, "/w/ is pronounced with lip rounding in the BE…PakE speakers do not produce /w/ with lip rounding" (209). The present study confirms that /w/ is pronounced as /v/ mostly and it elongates the following vowel sound as well.…”

“…Elongation or flattening of round vowel sounds such as /ɔː/ has also commonly been observed in the present study in words, such as all or audience. According to Syed et al, (2017), "In most Pakistani languages /r/ is a rhotic produced with strong trilling. The same representation they have also developed for English /r/" (p. 210.…”

Acoustic Analysis of Post Alveolar Voiced Fricative Consonant / Ʒ / in Pakistani English

“…Pakistani speakers pronounce /j/ consonant in place of /Ʒ/ consonant which is a semi vowel. That's why, when they pronounce the word -measure‖, their vocal cords vibrate more because /j/ is semi vowel (Syed & Ansari, 2017). This is what the present study examined to state Pakistani English as a separate variety from BBC English through the pronunciation of /Ʒ/ consonant.…”

The Perception and Pronunciaiton of L2 Modern Standard Arabic Distinguished Consonants by L1 Chinese Speakers

“…Syed, Ansari & Gopang (2017) 14 noted that the L1 Pakistani speakers have difficulty in perceiving and pronouncing some of the L2 English phonemes. For example, the aspirated stops of British English are produced without aspiration.…”