What is oral rhythm?

What is oral rhythm?

Abstract

The acquisition of Japanese mora-timed rhythm by the beginning- and intermediate-level

American learners of Japanese was investigated. The interlanguage rhythm of less proficient

learners of Japanese was characterized by a relatively low variability in duration of vocalic

stretches (VarcoV, linear acquisition pattern) and a relatively high variability in duration of

consonantal stretches (VarcoC, U-shaped acquisition pattern). No evidence for a relative

tendency to isochrony of morae at the phrase level was found in the more proficient learners'

interlanguage, or in native Japanese speech. In addition to the proficiency level of the speakers,

VarcoV and VarcoC values were influenced by the occurrence of phrase-final vowels, long

vowels, nasal codas and devoiced vowels. This suggests that the acquisition of native-like

rhythm by learners of Japanese is partially contingent upon the acquisition of syllable types and

segment types in the target language.