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English World-Wide
Vol. 45:3 (2024) ► pp.367–407

Phonetic variation of initial stop consonants in Malaysian English

 | Universiti Malaya
ORCID logo | Universiti Malaya
In multiracial and multilingual Malaysia, Malaysian English (MalE) is not a homogeneous variety. Thus, the present study examines the phonetic implementation of voicing contrast in MalE across three major ethnic groups, Malay, Chinese and Indian, and compares the results with their first languages (L1s) and British English due to the historical ties. Voice onset time (VOT) and closure duration are measured and analysed in within-group and between-group comparisons. Findings reveal evident L1 influence on the initial stop production of Malaysian bilingual speakers, and simultaneous influence of British English due to long-term language contact. The influence of Malay as the national language is also observed. While VOT appears to play a role in discriminating between voiced and voiceless initial stop consonants, closure duration does not reflect equivalent significant effects. Hence, the phonetic and phonological features of MalE in multilingual Malaysia offer insights into one of the Englishes spoken beyond the Inner Circle.
Keywords: Malaysian English, phonetic variation, initial stop consonants, voice onset time (VOT), closure duration, voicing contrast, multilingualism
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Experimental design
    • 2.1Speech materials
    • 2.2Participants and data collection
    • 2.3Segmentation and data analysis
  • 3.Results
    • 3.1Within-group comparisons
      • 3.1.1VOT
      • 3.1.2Closure duration
    • 3.2Between-group comparisons
      • 3.2.1VOT
      • 3.2.2Closure duration
  • 4.Discussion
    • 4.1Temporal relations between VOT and closure duration
    • 4.2L1 influence: Beyond phonological factors
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 28 November 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/eww.24005.ng
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