Abstract

This study tests the prediction of the Feature Model (FM) by Brown that learning new phonemes of an L2 is possible if the relevant phonological features that differentiate the new sound from its closest confusing sound are active in the feature geometry of the learners’ L1. The study is conducted in the context of Arabic learners of English who face difficulty learning English /p/ and /v/ phonemes. Sixteen undergraduate level learners of English were selected for this study. Their perception of /v-f/ and /b-p/ consonant pairs was tested in an identification and a lexical discrimination test to confirm if they can perceptually differentiate between /v-f/ and /b-p/ consonant pairs. The findings of the study support the FM prediction that a new L2 sound can be perceptually differentiated from the closest confusing sound if the relevant feature differentiating the two sounds is active in the L1. The participants showed better results in the perception of /v/ and good results in the perception of /p/. The findings of this study have pedagogical significance for adult Arabic learners of English in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Arabic; discrimination; English; feature model; identification, perception