Gender Differences in the Acoustic Properties of English Monophthongs Produced by Saraiki ESL Learners in Sindh

Abstract

This study investigates gender-based differences in the acoustic properties of speech produced by Saraiki male and female English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Specifically, it examines how vowel quality (F1 and F2), pitch (F0), and duration of English vowels differ between non-native Saraiki ESL learners and native English speakers. The eight English monophthongs selected for analysis were /iː/, /uː/, /ɑː/, /ɜː/, /ɔː/, /ɪ/, /ʌ/, and /ʊ/. Data were collected from 20 Sindhi-dialect Saraiki ESL learners, comprising 10 male and 10 female speakers. The recordings were analyzed using Praat software to measure formant frequencies (F1 and F2), pitch (F0), and vowel duration. The findings reveal significant gender-based differences, with female speakers exhibiting higher pitch (F0) and longer durations for short vowels than male speakers. The results also highlight the influence of the first language (L1) on second language (L2) vowel production, as Saraiki possesses articulatory patterns that differ from those of English. Overall, the findings suggest that both physiological and sociolinguistic factors contribute to gender-based variation in English vowel production among Saraiki ESL learners, providing valuable insights into the role of gender in second language acquisition.