Non-native listener perceptual similarity ratings as a measure of L2 speech production

This study investigates the feasibility of using non-native listeners to assess non-native pronunciation of different target languages. Native English-speaking students studying university-level German and French reproduced German, French, and Indonesian sentences based on native-speaker models. Students not pursuing university-level language study did the same. Other native English-speaking students served as non-native listeners, rating the similarity of elicited sentences to native-speaker models. Similarity ratings were higher for language learners compared to non-learners across languages. Articulation rate and interval-based rhythm measures were strong predictors of similarity ratings. Results parallel findings from second-language acquisition studies, wherein native listeners typically evaluate L2 pronunciation.