Age Effects on L2 Phonological Perception and Production

Abstract

According to interaction hypothesis (IH), it is likely that the L1 and L2 always influence each other to some degree in all learners. However, the nature of the L1-L2 interaction changes as a function of the state of development of the L1 phonetic system at the time L2 learning begins. Hence, the present paper tried to link learners perception of the relationship between sounds in the L1 and L2 to the accuracy with which they produce and perceive L2 sounds, as well as to find out whether or not age influences L2 phonological perception and production.