The impact of audio versus audiovisual stimuli with or without face masking on judgements about different varieties of Asian English

Abstract This study explores ways in which multilingual English listeners react to and rate three varieties of Asian English in three presentational modes: audio only, audiovisual and audiovisual with a face mask. Using a speech intelligibility framework, the study examines the extent to which presentational mode affects intelligibility and listener ratings of accentedness, comprehensibility and acceptability. In addition, through an analysis of both a think‐aloud protocol and listener familiarity with varieties of English, this study explores the role that linguistic bias and familiarity may play in listener ratings and intelligibility scores. This study is innovative for its systematic exploration of how speech intelligibility and ratings of varieties of English are influenced by face masks and for its in‐depth exploration of the role that familiarity and bias may play in the evaluation of audio vs audiovisual speech. Findings from the study make an important theoretical and methodological contribution to our understanding of speech intelligibility in both L2 and multilingual settings.