THE INFLUENCE OF NATIVE LANGUAGE ON SECOND LANGUAGE PRONUNCIATION

The relationship between a speaker’s native language (L1) and their pronunciation in a second language (L2) has long been recognized as a critical area of study within second language acquisition. Pronunciation is not merely about producing sounds correctly; it encompasses various phonological elements such as stress, rhythm, intonation, and syllable structure — all of which are deeply shaped by the learner's first language. This paper aims to explore the extent to which L1 interferes with or supports the acquisition of accurate L2 pronunciation. It investigates both segmental (individual sounds) and suprasegmental (prosodic features) aspects of speech, presenting evidence from various language groups to illustrate common patterns of transfer. Moreover, the study discusses how phonological habits from the native language often lead to a foreign accent and reduced intelligibility in the second language, even among otherwise proficient speakers. Emphasis is placed on practical strategies and pedagogical approaches that can be used to address L1-induced difficulties, such as contrastive analysis, phonetic training, and the use of technological tools for self-monitoring and feedback. The paper concludes that although native language influence is a natural and often unavoidable aspect of second language learning, its impact on pronunciation can be significantly minimized through targeted instruction and increased learner awareness.