The acquisition of temporal categorical perception by Japanese second language learners

Abstract

This study reports research into the development of perception of special mora categories by Korean learners of Japanese as a second language. First, a test which measured boundary width and the boundary point of distinction between singletons and special mora was used to establish participants’ categorical perception across four levels of proficiency. Then a two year longitudinal study followed the development of 14 learners, during which time the same test was administered three times. The results demonstrated: 1) that the special mora perceptual categories of second language learners developed in some areas, but not in others and 2) that there was a categorization of the special mora over time.