Tokyo Accent Perception Ability for Native Speakers from Different Areas

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the ability of Japanese native speakers to identify the Tokyo accent, which is standard Japanese. A total of 126 university students from four areas, where their accents have different systems, participated in a perception test eight times over the course of one month. The data collected were analyzed in terms of the number of tests, intonation types, accent patterns, number of morae, type of morae, and type of special morae. Error analysis was also conducted. The rate of correct answers got better with each test regardless of accent system and reached 87% in the last test for listeners of Tokyo-shiki (Tokyo type) accent, 83% for listeners of no accent, 80% for listeners of Keihan-shiki (Kyoto-Osaka type) accent, and 69% for listeners of Nikei-shiki (two patterns) accent. The findings will help develop tools to improve listening skills for the Tokyo accent.