ISCA Archive ISAPh 2024
ISCA Archive ISAPh 2024

Decoding L1 Influence: Navigating Phonotactic Barriers in L2 German Pronunciation by Bulgarian Speakers

Denitsa Dimitrova

This study investigates the influence of first-language (L1) phonotactics on the pronunciation of German as a second language (L2) by Bulgarian speakers, focusing on the lateral consonant /l/. Bulgarian and German exhibit significant differences in the realization of /l/, with Bulgarian employing two positionally conditioned allophones and German consistently using an alveolar variant. These phonotactic mismatches create challenges for Bulgarian learners, particularly in articulating /l/ before back vowels. Using qualitative acoustic analysis, the study draws on the Perceptual Assimilation Model (PAM) and the Speech Learning Model (SLM) as interpretive frameworks to explore how L1 phonological structures shape L2 sound acquisition. While the findings align with theoretical predictions of perceptual assimilation and equivalence classification, the study highlights the need for further statistical validation. By identifying patterns of L1 influence, this research contributes to understanding cross-linguistic interference and its implications for second-language phonological adaptation.