In:
Language and Speech, SAGE Publications, Vol. 14, No. 2 ( 1971-04), p. 146-157
Abstract:
The following study tested the hypothesis that the ability to speak a second language authentically or like a native speaker was related to an individual's sensitivity to cues in interpersonal situations, his empathic capacity. A test of empathy consisted of silent film clips shown at various speeds; subjects were asked to indicate each change in facial expression they observed. A test group of 28 University students took this and additional control tests including the Thematic Apperception Test. These subjects learned basic conversations in Japanese in four one-hour sessions. Their pronunciation was rated by native speakers on general authenticity and on specific phonetic details for five spontaneous sentences and five sentences repeated after the instructor. Results indicated differences in speaking skills which were related to two clusters of variables representing independent personality characteristics: an empathy dimension defined by four variables (tolerance to anxiety, intelligence, involvement in emotional experiences, and perception of emotional expression) was related to correct pronunciation of specific details in spontaneous sentences, while an intuition dimension (tolerance to anxiety, intelligence, and psychological mindedness) was significantly related to general authenticity of pronunciation of repeated sentences.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0023-8309
,
1756-6053
DOI:
10.1177/002383097101400205
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
1971
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2001596-3
SSG:
5,2
SSG:
7,11
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