Russian palatalized and unpalatalized coda consonants: An electropalatographic and acoustic analysis of native speaker and L2 learner productions

One fundamental aspect of the Russian phonological system is a contrast between palatalized and unpalatalized consonants. This distinction poses a challenge for native English speakers learning Russian as a second language because palatalization is not a feature of their first language (L1) phonology. The present study examined word-final palatalized and unpalatalized consonants produced by native Russian speakers and native English speakers learning Russian. Electropalatographic (EPG) and acoustic recordings were made of six native Russian speakers and six native English speakers, who had significant classroom and immersion experience with Russian. Data from the native Russian speakers suggested that the contrast between palatalized and unpalatalized consonants involves the manipulation of both tongue-palate contact and acoustic properties of the preceding vowel and the consonant itself. The second language (L2) Russian learners showed little if any EPG or acoustic evidence of a contrast between their productions of palatalized versus unpalatalized consonant targets, a finding that suggests that extensive immersion experience alone may not be sufficient for the development of at least some novel L2 contrasts.