An Analysis on Chinese-accented English Based on Some of Chinese Dialects
Abstract: As an international language, English has become more and more widely used in international communication. However, the varieties of English pronunciation bring lot of communication problems as well. The accent-English, rather than the grammar mistakes, brings communication problems to us more frequently. Chinese dialects deeply influence Chinese English learners on their English pronunciation. Therefore, it is of great necessity and importance to analyze the accent-English in China and explore the existing problems. The present paper is to give a brief introduction about the phenomena of seven Chinese-accent English and then suggest some practical techniques for Chinese to learn English pronunciation. This thesis consists of four parts. First, a brief introduction on the importance of studying Chinese accent-English is given and some foreign and domestic literatures are reviewed. Second, the author review the vowels and consonants inventories in English and Chinese (Mandarin) and then pose some questions. Then, a contrastive study between Chinese dialects and English in pronunciation of vowels and consonants is provided. In this study, the author find a lot of difference between English and Chinese dialects, including Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Guangxi dialects. Finally, some practical techniques is offered for Chinese to learn English pronunciation
Keywords: Chinese accent-English, dialect, interfere, pronunciation
Contents
Abstract 1
Introduction 3
1.1 Background Description 3
1.2 Literature Review 4
1.2.1 Foreign Literature Review 4
1.2.2 Domestic Literature Review 5
2 Review Vowels and Consonants Inventories in English and Chinese (Mandarin) 6
2.1 Vowels Inventories in English and Chinese (Mandarin) 7
2.1.1 English Vowels 7
2.1.2 Chinese Vowels 7
2.2 Consonants Inventories in English and Chinese (Mandarin) 8
2.2.1 English Consonants 8
2.2.2 Chinese Consonants 9
3 Contrastive Study Between Chinese Dialects and English in Pronunciation of Vowels and Consonants 10
3.1 Contrastive Study between Chinese Dialects and English in Pronunciation of Vowels 10
3.1.1 Zhejiang, Guangxi, Henan, and Guangdong Dialects Have No Length (i.e. no tense-lax) Contrast. 10
3.1.2 Confusion of Diphthongs and Single Vowels in Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hebei Dialects 11
3.1.3 Confusion of /(/ and / (n/ in Hebei and Henan dialects 11
3.1.4 Guangxi Dialect Doesn’t Contain ‘high, back’ Vowel /u: / and /u/. 12
3.1.5 Confusion of /en/ and /ei/, /an/ and /ai/ in Dialects of Hebei, Henan, and Shandong 12
3.1.6 Confusion of /i/, /(/ and /ei/ in Shandong and Henan Dialects 13
3.1.7 Confusion of /(: /, /(/, /(/, and /a: / in Shandong Dialect 13
3.1.8 Confusion between /(/ and /w(/ in Hebei Dialect 13
3.2 Contrastive Study between Chinese Dialects and English in Pronunciation of Consonants 13
4 Conclusion and Suggestion 19
4.1 Conclusion 19
4.2 Suggestion 20
4.2.1 Listening and Imitating Training 20
4.2.2 Compare the Confusing Words and Read Them Aloud 20
4.2.3 Watching American Movies and Singing English Songs 22
4.2.4 Read Aloud, Recite and Record the Pronunciation 22
References 23
