Acquisition of Accent from the Viewpoint of Accent Pattern

A Study of Korean Learners of Japanese

Abstract

Previous studies on L2 learners' perception of Japanese accent have shown that Atamadaka-type (HLL-L) is easier to identify in comparison with other types. The present study investigates accent production and knowledge of lexical accent in terms of accent types. 73 Korean learners were given three tasks. Participants read Japanese words and pseudo words with accent sign aloud, and given an accent judgement listening test. Each task was analyzed by the accent types and results showed the following features: (1) on the accent judgment test, the correct answer rate of the Atamadaka-type was the highest; (2) from the accent judgment test and the production test, the correct production of Atamadaka-type words is based on the accent knowledge, and is acquired earlier than other accents; (3) the result of the pseudo words reading task showed that Otaka-type (LHH-L) words are not only difficult to acquire, but that controlling the pitch is also difficult. These results suggest that lexical accent can be learned from input but it would be restrictive.