Acoustic Analysis of English Vowel Production by Saudi ELLs: Gender and Regional Dialect Influences

Abstract

This study explores the production of British English vowels by Saudi English Language Learners (ELLs), examining the influence of gender and regional dialects (Hijazi and Southern). The primary research questions investigate Saudi ELLs' proficiency in producing British vowels, the impact of gender on vowel articulation, and the role of regional dialects in shaping these patterns. A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating acoustic analysis of formant frequencies (F1, F2, and F3 Bark values) and statistical comparisons between 20 Saudi learners (10 male, 10 female) and 6 native Standard Southern British English (SSBE) speakers. Data were collected using Praat software and analyzed with t-tests and MANOVA. The results reveal significant challenges faced by Saudi ELLs, particularly in articulating vowels like /iː/, /æ/, /ʌ/, and /uː/. Saudi male speakers tended to produce vowels with higher tongue positions, while female speakers demonstrated more open and fronted articulations, resulting in higher formant frequencies. Additionally, regional dialects influenced vowel production, with Hijazi and Southern speakers showing distinct vowel height and rounding patterns. The interaction between gender and dialect further complicated these findings, as females consistently exhibited higher formant values across dialects. These results align with the Second Language Linguistic Perception (L2LP) model (Escudero, 2005), the Speech Learning Model (SLM) (Flege,1987), and the Perceptual Assimilation Model (PAM) (Best, 1995), suggesting that L1 phonology significantly shapes L2 sound production. However, sociolinguistic factors, such as gendered speech behaviors and cultural context, also played a critical role in vowel articulation. Despite the study’s small sample size, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how native phonology and social factors affect English pronunciation in non-native speakers. Future research should explore the role of phonetic training, English proficiency levels, and broader Saudi dialects in shaping vowel production, alongside a larger and more diverse participant sample.