Magnitude-Estimation Scaling of Complex Auditory Stimuli: Native and Nonnative Languages

Abstract

50 subjects used magnitude-estimation scaling to rate 11 languages on two subjective perceptual tasks. On Task 1, the subjects rated languages according to how similar they were to their native language (English). In Task 2, the subjects rated languages according to how much they like them. Analysis showed a high over-all correlation between how similar subjects felt the languages were to their native language and how much they liked them (Pearson product-correlation r = .86). The high correlation indicates consistency in subjects' scaling responses. This consistency may suggest that magnitude estimation is an appropriate method for scaling complex auditory stimuli represented by various attributes of native and nonnative languages.