The Predictive Roles of Musical Aptitude, Auditory Abilities, and Working Memory in L2 Speech Imitation: Differences Between Familiar and Unfamiliar Languages

In learning a second language (L2), speech imitation ability is an important aptitude, which is subject to individual’s familiarity to the target L2 and multiple cognitive factors. The present study investigates the impact of individuals’ cognitive abilities on L2 speech imitation skills in a familiar (English) and an unfamiliar (Chinese) L2. Thirty-five L2 English speakers imitated English and Chinese short phrases and completed tests on musical aptitude (4 subsets: accent, melody, pitch, and rhythm), auditory processing abilities (3 subsets: duration, formant, and pitch), and working memory (2 subsets: forward and backward digit span). Their imitated speech was rated by native English and Chinese speakers. Globally, working memory is a stronger predictor for familiar L2 than for unfamiliar L2 and auditory processing abilities only predict the imitation abilities of familiar L2. Regarding specific components, musical melodic perception abilities, auditory pitch processing abilities, and forward digit span significantly predict L2 speech imitation regardless of language familiarity, but backward digit span predicts unfamiliar L2 imitation better than familiar L2. The results suggest that some cognitive factors (e.g., working memory) may be crucial at the first contact with a new language, whereas others (e.g., auditory processing) may be more relevant to more experienced learners.