中国英语学习者陈述疑问句音高模式初探

The Pitch Contour of Declarative Questions of Chinese EFL Learners

摘要: 本文选取AESOP疑问句子库中的3句陈述疑问句作为样本，将20名中国英语学习者的陈述疑问句的音高曲线和陈述句进行详细的比较，试图总结中国学习者陈述疑问句语调出现的问题和原因。结果发现中国学习者陈述疑问句的F0曲线有以下特点：第一，中国学习者陈述疑问句中音高重音的实现方式和其陈述句中音高重音的实现方式几乎相同，均为H*或者H*+L。第二，中国学习者的一般疑问句的边界调既有上升也有下降。该现象可能与中国目前的语音教学现状有关，因此提高现在的英语语音教学急不可待。

Abstract: This research analyzed three sets of declarative questions produced by 20 Chinese EFL learners. Through a detailed comparison between the statements and declarative questions, the pitch pattern of Chinese learners’ declarative questions was summarized as follows: first, Chinese learners realized pitch accent of declarative questions in the same way as the statements; both of them used high (H*) or falling (H*L) tone for statements. Second, Chinese learners used either rising or falling boundary tones in declarative questions. The findings indicate a relationship between the mistakes made by the learners and the wrong direction in English teaching lessons. Therefore, the oral English teaching needs to be improved immediately.