The acquisition of geminate obstruents (sokuon) by Japanese learners in Taiwan

• Main Authors: TSAI ,YA-FANG, 蔡雅芳
• Other Authors: LUO JI LI
• Format: Others
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/20424039792639426313

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 日本語文學系 === 102 === Acquisition of geminate obstruents (sokuon) in Japanese is not only about learning correct pronunciation but also about learning vocabulary and grammar. More importantly, it helps learners to convey and exchange meanings accurately. Therefore, the importance of geminate obstruents in the Japanese language teaching cannot be overemphasized. This thesis aims to provide an analysis of how Japanese learners in Taiwan acquire geminate obstruents (sokuon) and compare the result with Japanese native speakers with a focus on how geminate obstruents (sokuon) are pronounced along with consonants. This paper is structured as follows. Chapter One introduces my research structures, such as motives, purpose, scope, etc. Chapter Two introduces previous researches and what can be improved in their studies in terms of perception and production in the learning of germinate obstruents. Chapter Three is about my interviewees, experiment methods, and the combinations of sounds designed and used for the experiment。Chapter Four talks about the result of my experiment. First, gender plays no role in the learning of germinate obstruents. Second, fricatives are hardest to acquire for Taiwanese learners. Third, with the help of Praat, a computer software, I have found Taiwanese learns spend less time on fricatives and plosives than Japanese native speakers do. Chapter Five brings forth the conclusion with a few suggestions for teachers and educators to work on in the future. Keywords: geminate obstruents、fricatives、plosives