This study explores the most perceivable phonological features of Hong Kong (HK) L2 English speakers and how they
affect the perception of HK L2 English speech from the perspective of both native and non-native English listeners. Conversational
interviews were conducted to collect speech data from 20 HK speakers of English and 10 native speakers of English in the
United Kingdom. Phonological features of 20 HK speakers of English were analyzed at both segmental and suprasegmental
levels. Forty listeners with different language backgrounds were recruited to listen and rate the speech samples of the 20 HK speakers of English in terms of the cognitive perception of foreign accentedness and comprehensibility and affective
perception of likability and acceptability. This study identifies the phonological variables that contribute significantly to
listeners’ perception of accentedness, comprehensibility, likability, acceptability, and overall impression of HK speakers’
English speech.
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