Errors In English Consonant Clusters Use Of Young Yemeni Learners In Malaysia
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Date
2017-08
Authors
Saleh Baagbah, Samah Yaslam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
The correct use of pronouncing English consonant clusters is important to improve the EFL learners’ pronunciation proficiency and the English pronunciation of Yemeni learners in particular. That is because consonant clusters are main aspects that affect the pronunciation of English language. However, producing a correct English pronunciation of consonant clusters is not an easy process for Yemeni learners. EFL learners have the access to insert /ə/ vowel in between the complex words which leads to inaccurate pronunciation of English language. The current study aims to investigate the young Yemeni learners’ difficulties of pronouncing English initial and final consonant clusters. This quantitative study held individual interview sessions to record the pronunciation of English consonant clusters of 9 young Yemeni learners. The study also utilised the pronunciation of a native speaker and an audio dictionary of Oxford to compare the distance of pronouncing the English consonant clusters. This distance was then measured and transcribed using the PRAAT software. The results showed that young Yemeni learners have different difficulties in pronouncing English initial and final consonant clusters, particularly the three consonant clusters in the initial and final syllable structure. The significance of the study is that it provides a guide in addressing the English pronunciations problems among EFL learners and enables the EFL teachers to teach pronounciations of English words effectively.
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Keywords
Errors in english consonant clusters , use of young yemeni learners in malaysia