Production of Cantonese tones by Mandarin-speaking immigrants: Acoustic and perceptual measurements

Abstract

Although Cantonese has a complex tonal system, there is a lack of research on adult learners’ acquisition of second language (L2) Cantonese tones, particularly studies of learners with a tone language background. The present study attempted to explore whether Mandarin-speaking immigrants could acquire the Cantonese tonal system and whether there would be category assimilation or dissimilation of lexical tones in their L2 Cantonese. A tone production experiment involving 41 participants was conducted, and both acoustic and perceptual measurements were employed to analyse the speech samples. The immigrants showed a smaller tonal space in comparison with the native speakers; they also had very low accuracy rates in their tone production, indicating that they had not fully acquired the Cantonese tonal system. Explanations for the confusion patterns are provided, and the effects of the first language on L2 tone acquisition are discussed.