Some remarks on the phenomenon of reverse phonological interference in Polish speakers of Canadian English

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the manner in which the Polish/English language contact situation in Canada (Calgary) alters the phonology of the Polish language of speakers who have come into permanent contact with the English language in adulthood. The present study considers the system of Polish consonants. Since the study included only a small number of subjects (13 in the Main Study Group) it can be viewed as an initial attempt at describing and classifying the phenomenon of reverse phonological interference of English into the sound system of Polish. The results also provide valid insights into the three main aspects of the investigation, namely the nature and degree of the RI and also its correspondence, if any, to the duration of the language contact.