Exploring Individual Differences in Rating Second Language Speech: Rater's Language Aptitude, Major, Accent Familiarity, and Attitudes

Abstract

AbstractThis study is the first attempt to explore the relationship between rater variables focusing on raters’ language aptitude and their judgments of second language (L2) speech. Thirty‐four English listeners rated 65 spontaneous native and nonnative speech samples for comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency. They also completed the LLAMA language aptitude test for associate memory, phonetic memory, sound‐symbol associations, and grammatical inferencing. The results of mixed effect models showed that native listeners’ individual differences (i.e., language aptitude, major, accent familiarity and attitudes) altogether explained 10‐12% of L2 speech ratings. A particularly novel finding is that all aptitude components exhibited significant effects on the ratings. Specifically, associative memory exhibited a positive association whereas and phonetic memory, sound‐symbol associations, and grammatical inferencing had a negative association with the ratings. The findings have a potential to enhance our understanding of the complex dynamics involved in nonnative speech perception and L2 interaction, and implications for researchers and educators in SLA, language assessment, and education.