AbstractsLanguage, Literature & Linguistics

Convergence effect was detected on native speakers under different conditions. However, non-native speakers are not found converged to/from native speaker in dialogue. The present study investigates the phonetic convergence on L2 speakers (Chinese learners of English) in a conversation with Australian English speakers. The map task was used to conduct a natural conversational context, and not only the AXB similarity test would be applied for data analysis, but also acoustic measurement (Euclidean Distance) to see exact changes. The findings suggested that in a communicative context, the convergence was not found on non-native speakers, but a negative correlation was found between participant’s accentedness and degree of convergence. In other words, the stronger accent a L2 speaker has, the weaker convergence she would receive.