A Socio-Phonological Analysis of Taiwan English from the Perspective of World Englishes

Abstract

早期有關華人的英語發音特徵研究，雖然不多，但已發現許多異於標準英語的腔調(Chang, 1991; Chen, 1975; Chung, 2006; Gao, 1995; Lee, 1986)。可惜的是，這些研究並未分析這些發音特徵的發生頻率，以及這些發音特徵與不同英語程度之間的關係。因此，本研究旨在探討中級英語程度的台灣人，如何唸1,225個常用的英文口語單字，瞭解他們發音特徵的發生頻率。本研究以中級英語程度的台灣人為研究對象，因為他們與初、高級英語程度的人相比，是使用英語作國際溝通的最大多數者(Hilgendorf, 2007; Jenkins, 2003, 2005; Mattock, 2003; Nero, 2006)。這項研究發現，一共有11個常見的非標準英語發音特徵，其中五個未被記錄過；尤其，有三個發音特徵為說台灣國語者所獨有，別於其他的英語腔調。本研究最後以世界英語的觀點，討論這個擴展圈(Expanding Circle)的英語發音特徵，在國際溝通使用上的意涵。

A number of previous studies on the English pronunciation of native speakers of Mandarin have discovered many sound features distinct from Standard English, yet none of these analyse how frequently each of these features occurred in learners with different English proficiency levels (Chang, 1991; Chen, 1975; Chung, 2006; Gao, 1995; Lee, 1986). This study focuses on the frequency of such pronunciation features amongst intermediate-level learners of English. To this end, in this study ten Taiwan Mandarin speakers read 1,225 words commonly used in English, and the findings indicate that a total of 11 sound features regularly appeared in the pronunciation of the respondents. Among these, five features have not been described in prior research. In particular, three of these features are identified as those which make Taiwan Mandarin-accented English distinct from other varieties of English. This study details the results and concludes by discussing this Expanding-Circle variety of English from the perspective of World Englishes.