Commentary: When the Easy Becomes Difficult: Factors Affecting the Acquisition of the English /iː/-/ɪ/ Contrast and On the Difficulty of Defining “Difficult” in Second-Language Vowel Acquisition (original) (raw)

This commentary explores the complexities of adult second language (L2) vowel acquisition, specifically regarding the English /iː/-/ɪ/ contrast. It critiques the methodologies of recent studies by Cebrian et al. and Munro, emphasizing the significant individual differences among learners from similar first language backgrounds that complicate generalizations. Key insights include the need for improved measurement of L2 speech perception and production, along with an acknowledgment of the role of markedness in vowel learning, which could enhance understanding of the factors influencing L2 acquisition.