Shortening In English As Recognized By Iraqi EFL Learners AT The University Level : A Perceptual Study *

Abstract

Abstract The present research investigates the ability of EFL Iraqi learners at the University level in recognizing vowel shortening in English . It consists of three parts : The theoretical part , the experimental part , and conclusion . The theoretical part discusses some basic features of English vowel sounds , vowel versus consonants , the anatomy of a vowel , pure vowels and their articulatory , auditory and acoustic features . It also displays definitions and cases of English vowel shortening . The practical part is devoted to describe the test conducted by the researcher as well as showing the results of the subjects' performance in the test . It introduces the objectives of the test , some basic details about the stimuli , subjects , CD – tape recording , the answer sheet , and the procedures . The last part presents the conclusions based on the main results of the test . The research terminates with references and an appendix . * The present paper is extracted from an M.A. Study conducted by the second author and supervised by the first one .