Browsing by Author "Muhammad Noman Khan"

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    Generative approach to acoustic analysis of syllabic variations in pashto speakers' english speech
    (UMT.Lahore, 2025) Muhammad Noman Khan
    This research investigates phonological transfer from Pashto to English, focusing on four core processes: Vowel Lengthening, Vowel Shortening, Epenthesis and Deletion. Using Generative Phonology as a theoretical framework, the study examines the rules which operate on Pashto speakers’ English speech. Thirty male students aged 18-19 from a public-sector college in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan served as the study sample. The participants produced 40 target words and 20 sentences aimed at testing for syllable structure and vowel variation. For vowel duration, pitch (F0), and formant frequencies (F1 and F2) recordings were acoustically analyzed in PRAAT. Validity of recordings was tested statistically in JASP using one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests. The study found that Vowel deletion was the most frequent process as it occurred in almost 40% cases. It was followed by Vowel Shortening took place in 32% cases. Epenthesis was seen often in the case of consonant clusters. In the case of stressed syllables, Vowel Lengthening was seen. According to the results, the L1 exerts a systematic influence on L2 production, confirming that Pashto’s phonological rules are transferred to English. The research shows that when used in a generative framework, acoustic analysis can formally provide an account of these deviations. In addition to contributing theoretically to Second Language Acquisition (SLA), the research offers important pedagogical insights by highlighting predictable errors made by Pashto speakers in their English pronunciation. These insights can help inform the pronunciation teaching in Pakistan. Keywords: Acoustic analysis, Generative Phonology, Pashto speakers, phonological transfer, second language acquisition, syllabic variations