Özet:

The present study tried to analyze the acoustic properties of English short vowels for Pashto speakers. The study aimed to put light on the problematic areas for Pashto speakers learning English short vowels. The study also highlighted those significant points about English vowels where Pashto speakers faced problems and confusion in pronouncing correct English vowels. The obtained and analyzed data through PRAAT software disclosed the problematic areas of English short vowels for Pashto speakers. The study proved that English short vowels like /æ/ and /ʊ/ were more problematic for Pashto speakers. There was difference in both the height and backness of the target English vowels produced by Pashto speakers. Some of the English vowels like /ɪ/, /e/ and /ʌ/ produced by Pashto speakers were nearly native like. The height of these vowels produced was native like but there was a difference in their backness. The vowels /ə/ and /ɒ/ were produced like native speakers with no difference in height and backness of these vowels. This study suggested that Pashto speakers need proper training for acquiring correct pronunciation of English vowels.

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