INQUIRY

New York University • College of Arts and Science
Could I Have a French Accent in My Native American
English? First Language Phonetic Drift in Second
Language Environments
Benjamin Lang, Language and Mind, Linguistics
Sponsor: Professor Lisa Davidson, Linguistics
While it is well-known that a speaker’s native language
heavily influences the sound system of their second
language, previous research has tentatively suggested that
one’s native language can also be shifted by their second
language even at the earliest stages. This study examines
whether the vowel system for American English-speaking
novice learners enrolled in a study abroad program in Paris
with no prior experience in French could drift as a result of
exposure to French. Production of American English vowels
was found to be unaffected by the acquisition of French vowels
over a 6-week period. However, experienced American
English-speaking late learners of French compared to novice
learners demonstrated tendencies of French influences on
American English production, reproducing findings from
previous studies. Taken together, these results demonstrate
a trend that the extent of a first language phonetic system’s
response to pressures from a second language phonetic system
varies as a function of time spent studying the second
language and of the quantity of input during this time, with
increased amounts of time and of input signifying higher
likelihood to change. The ramification of these findings for
language development, linguistic experience and cognitive
models of speech perception and production are discussed.
The Syrian Jewish Community of Brooklyn
Joshua Z. Lavine, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Journalism
Sponsor: Professor Jason Samuels, Journalism
The Syrian Jewish Community of Brooklyn is an online
multimedia project that explores the unique history of the
Syrian Jewish community. Through interviews, pictures,
maps and text, the project takes one on an educational journey
through time to discover what makes this community
both successful in the modern world yet steadfast in its
religion and traditions. With few interruptions, the cities
of Aleppo and Damascus were known for their rich Jewish
culture and commerce dating back to Roman times (according
to some Syrian Jews, the time of King David). Due to
factors such as changing trade routes and the establishment
of the State of Israel in 1948, this once thriving community
has dwindled to fewer than 100 inhabitants in Syria today.
The first Syrian Jews settled in New York in the early 1890s.
Eventually, the majority of the community in New York
migrated to Brooklyn. Today, the neighborhoods of Gravesend,
Flatbush and Midwood are flourishing with Syrian
Jewish culture, which includes many restaurants, schools,
shops and synagogues. The traditional atmosphere and structure
of the community are key elements that have enabled
these people to survive and prosper for many generations.
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