Finskspråkiga talares intonation av finlandssvenska i påståendeyttranden i fritt tal

Abstract

In this study, I examine Finnish-speakers’ (n=8) intonation in declarative utterances in Finland-Swedish free speech on CEFR levels B1–B2. Data come from the National Certificates of Language Proficiency intermediate level tests (www.jyu.fi/yki). I measure f0 acoustically (mean, SD, range, mean absolute slope, f0 peaks) and examine the pitch contours. L2 speakers’ intonation is also contrasted with native Finland-Swedish speakers’ (n=5) intonation. The results show that L2 speakers have a significantly wider f0 range, greater standard deviation and steeper absolute slope than L1 speakers. Differences occur also in the extent to which L2 speakers use f0 peaks in their utterances and in peak height. L1 speakers’ intonation, however, does not fully correspond to the previous findings on Finland-Swedish intonation in free speech. The results provide new information not only on Finnish-speakers’ learning of FinlandSwedish pronunciation, but also on Finland-Swedish intonation in general, which has, thus far, only been marginally studied. In addition to implications for educational purposes, the results imply that the role of intonation in oral language skills assessment should be mapped out more thoroughly.