The Effect of High-Variability Phonetic Training on /p/–/b/ Production and Speech Intelligibility

Abstract

This research aims to study the effect of high variability phonetic training (HVPT) on improving the capability to produce the two plosive sounds (/ p/ and/ b/) among learners of English as a foreign language, as well as measuring the effect of this enhancement on enhancing intelligibility among listeners. The study involved a total sample of 30 Arab EFL learners, divided into two equal groups (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The problem of distinguishing between these two sounds is common among Arabic- speaking learners, due to the absence of the/ p/ sound in the Arabic phonetic system. The target sounds (/ p/ and/ b/) were inspired in word- original, medium, and final positions to insure contextual representativeness. The research espoused an experimental approach with apre-post design with two groups an experimental group that entered highly varied training for four weeks, and a control group that entered traditional instruction. Data were collected through a pronunciation test, a phonetic perception test, and a task to assess comprehensibility by independent listeners. The results showed statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group in production, perception, and intelligibility, which is harmonious with the results of recent studies (Uchihara & Strange, 2024; Nunes & Côrte, 2021; Mahdi, 2024). These results confirm the significance of incorporating auditory variability- grounded phonological training into pronunciation training classes to meliorate factual communication.