PL2 production of english word-final consonants: the role of orthography and learner profile variables

the present study investigates some factors affecting the acquisition of second language (l2) phonology by learners with considerable exposure to the target language in an l2 context. more specifically, the purpose of the study is two-fold: (a) to investigate the extent to which participants resort to phonological processes resulting from the transfer of l1 sound-spelling correspondence into the l2 when pronouncing english word-final consonants; and (b) to examine the relationship between rate of transfer and learner profile factors, namely proficiency level, length of residence in the l2 country, age of arrival in the l2 country, education, chronological age, use of english with native speakers, attendance in efl courses, and formal education. the investigation involved 31 brazilian speakers living in the united states with diverse profiles. data were collected using a questionnaire to elicit the participants' profiles, a sentence-reading test (pronunciation measure), and an oral picture-description test (l2 proficiency measure). the results indicate that even in an l2 context, the transfer of l1 sound-spelling correspondence to the production of l2 word-final consonants is frequent. the findings also reveal that extensive exposure to rich l2 input leads to the development of proficiency and improves production of l2 word-final consonants.