2021 Volume 13 Pages 1-18
This study explores whether and how the devoicing of word-initial plosives in Japanese influences perception of the voicing contrast by Japanese speakers, Taiwanese Hokkien speakers, and Taiwanese Mandarin speakers. The results of perception experiment suggest that the devoicing does not influence the perception of Japanese speakers nor Taiwanese Hokkien speakers, while does influence that of Taiwanese Mandarin speakers. This study argues that the difference between Taiwanese Hokkien speakers and Taiwanese Mandarin speakers is due to the difference in their native phonological systems: the former has the voicing contrast while the latter does not. Overall, this study highlights the impact of the ongoing devoicing phenomenon on Japanese learning, as well as the influence of the native phonology on perception of non-native voicing contrast.
