Challenges in Pronouncing English /r/ for Chinese Learners

Abstract: Chinese English learners face challenges in pronouncing English /r/ sound. This study explores how regional dialects influence the acquisition of this sound. A literature review is utilised to investigate the perception and production of the English /r/ among Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghainese speakers. The participants are all Chinese undergraduate students. In this research, data was collected through various ways, including surveys, pronunciation tests, listening exercises, and interviews. The paper finds that those speakers have different pronunciation performances in /r/. Since there is a similar retroflex approximant in Mandarin, they do better in both perceiving and articulating the /r/ sound. On the other hand, Cantonese and Shanghainese speakers have more difficulties and usually substitute /r/ with /l/ or // sounds. The findings emphasises the impact of regional dialects on English pronunciation and help teachers come up with more effective English pronunciation teaching strategies in the future.