Investigating Learners’ Acceptability of World Englishes Preferences

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate learners’ preferences of World Englishes pronunciation, to compare the preferences across gender, and to explore reasons why they prefer a particular pronunciation. The study was conducted at a secondary school in Sa Kaeo province. The participants were 300 upper secondary school learners (Mathayom 4-6). The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey and interviews. To complete the survey, the learners listened to four pronunciations, selected from the three concentric circles by Kachru (1985). The pronunciations consisted of Cambodian, Thai, Filipino, and American. After listening to the pronunciations, the learners rated the level of their preference. The results showed that the learners’ preferred the American pronunciation the most. Through semi-structured interview, six informants were requested to explain their justification. It turned out that the main reason behind why the participants preferred a particular pronunciation falls into three reasons: 1) comprehensibility, 2) self-image, and 3) clarity of speech. Moreover, the results also showed that there are no differences in the preferences towards World Englishes pronunciation across gender distinctiveness.

Keywords: Learners’ Preference, World Englishes Pronunciation

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-12-09

Publication date: April 30^th 2020