PRODUCCIÓN DEL SISTEMA VOCÁLICO DEL ESPAÑOL POR HABLANTES DE CHINO

Abstract

In this paper we compare the Spanish and Chinese vowel systems as pronounced by native speakers in order to analyze afterwards the peculiarities of the Spanish vowels produced by a group of Chinese students with an intermediate level of Spanish. The study of the similarities and differences between the two native systems allows us to predict the points in which the Spanish vowels from Chinese learners may differ from the native system. The results indicate that the vowel system displayed by these students is structurally similar to the native system, but with some phonetic differences. Firstly, it shows a greater F1-amplitude, as a result of the direct translation of the distances between the Chinese vowels. Secondly, some vowels, particularly /a/, /e/ and /o/, show more dispersion than in the Spanish native system. Finally, the vowels produced by Chinese learners are clearly longer than in Spanish, although shorter than in Chinese. All in all, we have found that, even though Chinese learners do not experience great difficulties in acquiring the Spanish vowels, the features of the Chinese vowel system influence their realization, especially their openness and their duration.