ENGLISH VOWEL CONTRASTS IN CANTONESE L1 LEARNERS: ACOUSTIC SEPARATION AND PROCESSING STRATEGIES

Abstract

Cantonese first-language learners of English often struggle with vowel contrasts not clearly represented in Cantonese. This exploratory mixed-methods study investigated the production and self-reported processing of three English contrasts: /iː/–/ɪ/, /æ/–/ɛ/, and /ʌ/–/ɑː/. Acoustic data from seven speakers were analysed for F1/F2 values and Euclidean distances, and interviews with ten learners were coded for vowel-processing strategies. Results showed reduced vowel spacing and substantial spectral overlap, especially for /iː/–/ɪ/. The interviews revealed reliance on context clues and L1-based assimilation but limited articulatory awareness and formal phonetic training. These findings suggest that the difficulties Cantonese learners have with English vowels involve both acoustic crowding and conscious compensation.