Acquisition of French Nasal Vowels ɛ̃, ã; e ɔ̃ by Brazilian Learners: Articulatory Aspects

Abstract:

This work aims at investigating the acquisition of the nasal vowels ɛ̃, ã; and ɔ̃ of French by learners in an undergraduate course in Languages (Portuguese and French). In articulatory terms, this class of segments is characterized by a lowering of the velum, which makes a connection between nasal and oral tubes (SEARA, 2000; MEDEIROS e DEMOLIN, 2006; BARBOSA e MADUREIRA, 2015). Consequently, these vowels are characterized by acoustic aspects different from those found in oral vowels. With the free passage of air in the nasal tract, the first formant value (F1) tends to lower and the third formant value (F3) tends to rise (HAWKINS e STEVENS, 1985; DELVAUX, 2003). There is also a change in the width of spectral peaks - which is smaller for nasal vowels -, as well as the appearance of additional spectral peaks and a longer duration for these segments (MORAES e WETZELS, 1992; SOUSA, 1994). In order to develop this research, sessions of articulatory data collection have been made with three groups of informants: Group I - two learners of French as a Foreign Language (FFL) in different semesters (2^nd and 8^th) of the course; Group II - a native speaker of French; and Group III - a native speaker of Brazilian Portuguese. The articulatory data collection instrument consisted in a test involving the production of pseudowords in a carrier phrase. The sessions of data collection were made in an acoustic cabin of the Emergence of Oral Language Laboratory (LELO/UFPel). For the purpose of collection and analysis of articulatory data, the software Articulate Assistant Advanced (AAA, version 2.16.11) has been used. The analysis of the segments produced by both groups of native speakers has demonstrated that in order to distinguish the nasal segment from the oral one, the native speaker of French posteriorizes her tongue movements, whereas the speaker of Portuguese elevates them. Regarding the data produced by learners, it was possible to verify: (i) generalization of tongue gestures by the 2^nd semester informant for the three French nasal vowels and (ii) accurate vocalic distinction by the 8^th semester informant. Additionally, ultrasonography has shown to be a promising tool for research on nasality, evidencing significant statistic differences in tongue movements between oral and nasal segments.

Keywords:
Nasal vowels; Foreign language acquisition; French