Work

Exploring the Negative Transfer Effect of Hanzhonghua Accent on English Pronunciation and Countermeasures Against it: A Case Study of an English Major from Shaanxi Province

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Pronunciation is a crucial aspect of second language acquisition, directly affecting comprehensibility, fluency, and communication effectiveness. However, many English learners struggle with pronunciation due to the influence of their first language or regional dialects. This study explores the negative transfer effect of the Hanzhonghua accent on English pronunciation through a case study of an English major from Shaanxi Province, China. It aims to analyze phonetic interference and explore training solutions. The research combines qualitative and quantitative methods: phonetic transcription of a participant's recording to identify errors, and a survey to assess intelligibility and communication impact. Results show the accent reduces intelligibility, with listeners understanding only 53.83% of the passage. It affects pronunciation quality by 66% and hinders communication by 60.92%. Key issues are divided into two parts: segmental errors and suprasegment errors. To address these, the study proposes a structured phonetic training approach. It highlights the need for targeted training in dialect-sensitive contexts, contributing empirical evidence on dialectal interference. Future research should expand the sample size and assess long-term training effectiveness.

Source: Journal of Literature & Language

DOI: 10.71204/wv9n4360

Author: Yuwen Zhang

Institution: Shenzhen University

Language: English

Topic: Phonetics and Phonology Research

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Shenzhen University