Discrimination of four Canadian-French vowels by native Canadian-English listeners

Abstract

Discrimination of Canadian French /y/, /u/, /ɑ/, and /e/ by native Canadian-English listeners was investigated to determine if patterns found in standard varieties of French (as explained by the Perceptual Assimilation Model) could be replicated in Canadian French. Front-rounded /y/ paired with /u/ was the focus of investigation, as well as other (control) pairs. It was found that /y/-/u/ was the most difficult to discriminate as compared to other pairs, but that listeners were sensitive to the contrast, which replicates previous findings in European French. Results are explained as a mix of instances of single-category and category-goodness assimilation patterns.