Intelligibility of English speech between Singaporean and Thai English Speakers

Abstract

This research study is aimed to measure the intelligibility level of English speech of Singaporean English speakers towards Thai English speakers and vice versa. Also, it specifies the phonetic features that cause intelligibility failures in communication between Singaporean and Thai English speakers. The measurement is targeted at word-recognition level by using the phonemic contrast elicitation test. Dictation is taken as the method of testing performed by 10 Singaporean and 10 Thai university students who are competent users of English. The findings show that intelligibility levels of Singaporean English speakers toward Thai English speakers are higher than those of Thai English speakers toward Singaporean English speakers, which are 57 per cent and 44.25 per cent in average, respectively. It is also found that only 3 distinctive phonetic features used by Thai English speakers, namely, replacement of /w/ for /v/; replacement of /ts/ for /f/; and dentalization of /d/ substituting for /o/ are the cause of intelligibility failures of Singaporean English speakers. On the other side, only 2 distinctive phonetic features used by Singaporean English speakers, namely, change of monophthong /ae/ into /e/ and change of diphthong /ai/ into /au/ are the cause of intelligibility failures of Thai English speakers. However, the use of distinctive phonetic features is only a minor cause of intelligibility failures comparing with other factors.