English Abstract
Abstract :
This study explores the extent to which Bahraini EFL students at UoB adhere to the rhythmic structure of the English language while speaking. If not, what are the causes behind such a problem? Ten native Arabic speakers learning English at UoB were asked to perform three different tasks. The first task was a read-aloud text to check the rhythm in the subjects' speaking. The second task was a free speech text to confirm and emphasize the results obtained from the first task. The last task was a follow-up questionnaire to determine whether other factors such as age, gender, year of study, and educational sector (private or government school) might affect the production of the English rhythm. It was found that the majority of UoB English major students do not adhere to the rhythm of the English language due to more than one reason. In fact, more than one reason was found in each student's results; stress misplacement, lack of use of weak forms, and improper pausing were the most important reasons for not adhering to the rhythm of the language It was also found that students read words in their lexical representation, which leads to a high use of linking sounds and a low use of assimilation and elision. The results showed that age, gender, year of study, and educational sector do not lead to a significant difference in producing the rhythm of the English language.
