The Influence of French on the English Pronunciation of Algerian EFL Learners

Abstract

The thesis in hand aims at investigating the degree of influence of the French language on the English pronunciation of Algerian EFL learners. The case of cognates was selected because it represents a significant scope of investigation. Determining the extent of negative transfer would be easy due to the phonological differences in French-English cognates. The study was based on the hypothesis that French influences the Algerian EFL learners’ pronunciation of English cognates to a large extent. The focus of this study is on three specific pronunciation features: nasalization, word stress assignment, and schwa production. The occurrence of transfer from French can be determined if the learners produce the syllables (in, im, en) in English words with the French nasalised vowels, mispronounce the schwa using the same French vowels and apply the same patterns of French when stressing English words. In order to collect the necessary data, quantitative and qualitative means of research are used. A test in English and another in French are administered to 30 first year students at the department of Arabic, University of Mohamed Seddik Ben Yahia to gather information about their pronunciation of French-English cognates. The results revealed that there is a great impact of French on the English pronunciation of cognates. The results also demonstrated that Algerian EFL students have the tendency to produce the syllables (in, im, en) in English words with the French pronunciation rather than the English correct pronunciation. Furthermore, they apply the French stress patterns when assigning stress to English words and substitute the schwa sound with the French sounds when pronouncing English words. Accordingly, the analysis of the research findings confirmed the research hypothesis and provided answers to the research questions. Finally, a series of recommendations is suggested for further research.