Influence of Mother Tongue on English Pronunciation: A Contrastive Analysis of Bogghom and English Phonemes

Abstract

Speakers of English as a second language often transfer their native language sound systems in the pronunciation of English. This is more noticeable with semi-educated speakers of English. Using phonological structure in generative grammar under contrastive analysis theory, this study contrasted features of English segmental phonemes with those of Bogghom, a language spoken in Gar, Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. The aim is to examine the extent of their differences/similarities, which present a cross-linguistic influence on English pronunciation. Twenty Bogghom speakers of English were selected. The respondents were given an excerpt with targeted phonemes to read; the speeches were recorded, translated, and analysed. Results showed the existence of phonemic and phonotactic disparities and similarities between the sound systems of the two languages. Differences in both languages' phoneme systems account for a high percentage of difficulties, resulting in 92% mispronunciation of English words. This implies that Bogghom speakers of English face challenges in their spoken English as a result of poor exposure to English phonemes. Phonemic/phonotactic similarities, on the other hand, enhanced better pronunciation. This research supports the claim that phonological disparities between two languages may impede effective communication. Thus, Bogghom bilinguals should make a deliberate effort to acquaint themselves with the English phonemes through self-drill and other academic means.