An Acoustic Analysis of Iraqi EFL Learners’ Use of English Aspiration in Isolated Words

Many researches have dealt with aspiration of English and Arabic. This study investigates the utilization of aspiration in English by Iraqi EFL learners which they have attained in their academic study, to see how much aspiration they display with reference to certain theoretical aspects of aspiration (certain variables affecting aspiration) as well as the problems that may face Iraqi EFL learners in their production of English aspirated plosives. Eighteen Iraqi EFL learners randomly selected from fourth year students, English Department, College of Education for Humanities, University of Mosul have participated in this study. Voice onset time measurements of the voiceless plosives /p, t, k /, as far as aspiration is concerned, have been made followed by three long vowels /i:, u:, a:/, in initial, intervocalic and final positions in isolation. The results show that VOT averages of the plosives [p , t , k ] in isolation increase gradually, their VOT values seem to be equal in all positions. They display less aspiration than native speakers of English due to VOT values lower than those of English. Iraqi EFL learners produce English voiceless aspirated plosives in the same manner of producing Arabic voiceless plosives in isolation due to mother tongue positive and negative transfer.