When Variability Matters in Second Language Word Learning

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The research explores the impact of training with multiple talkers on native English speakers' ability to acquire Arabic pharyngeal-glottal consonant contrasts. It analyzes learner performance across two discrimination tasks after a word-learning phase, comparing the effects of multiple versus single talker training. Findings support the hypothesis that variability in talkers aids in recognizing non-native consonant phonemes, while also indicating that different task demands do not significantly affect the ability to distinguish these novel contrasts.