Exploring the Negative Transfer Effect of Hanzhonghua Accent on English Pronunciation and Countermeasures Against it: A Case Study of an English Major from Shaanxi Province

Yuwen Zhang

doi:10.71204/wv9n4360

Authors

Yuwen Zhang Shenzhen University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71204/wv9n4360

Keywords:

Negative Transfer, Hanzhonghua Accent, English Pronunciation, Phonetic Training, Second Language Acquisition

Abstract

Pronunciation is a crucial aspect of second language acquisition, directly affecting comprehensibility, fluency, and communication effectiveness. However, many English learners struggle with pronunciation due to the influence of their first language or regional dialects. This study explores the negative transfer effect of the Hanzhonghua accent on English pronunciation through a case study of an English major from Shaanxi Province, China. It aims to analyze phonetic interference and explore training solutions. The research combines qualitative and quantitative methods: phonetic transcription of a participant's recording to identify errors, and a survey to assess intelligibility and communication impact. Results show the accent reduces intelligibility, with listeners understanding only 53.83% of the passage. It affects pronunciation quality by 66% and hinders communication by 60.92%. Key issues are divided into two parts: segmental errors and suprasegment errors. To address these, the study proposes a structured phonetic training approach. It highlights the need for targeted training in dialect-sensitive contexts, contributing empirical evidence on dialectal interference. Future research should expand the sample size and assess long-term training effectiveness.

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