Spanish speakers processes

Question 1

”s+consonant” in onset position.

Answer 1

It’s not possible in Spanish, therefore Spanish speakers tend to add an /e/ sound before /s+C/.
Ex. Spanish /’spæn ɪʃ/→/espæn ɪʃ/

Question 2

Aspiration of plosives

Answer 2

In Spanish, there is no aspirated allophones, therefore it can be a problem to produce the aspirated versions of /p, t, k/

Question 3

Voiced fricative sounds

Answer 3

There is only one sound in Spanish that is a voiced fricative.

Question 4

/v, b/ vs /β/

Answer 4

In Spanish, the /v/ sound is not part of the sound repertory, therefore is not usually pronounce. Instead the most usually pronounced is /β/, except in initial positions and after a nasal. In a sentence, even if the b is on initial position of the word it will be pronounce as /β/ since is middle position.
Ex. Barbara es bonita y deslumbra a todos.
The fist “b” is pronounced as /b/ since is in initial position; while the second is in middle possition since it follows the verb “es”, therefore is pronounced /β/; the last one is also pronounce /b/ since is after the nasal /m/

Question 5

Vowels

Answer 5

Spanish sound repertory is 5 vowels, therefore Spanish speakers tend to mispronounced vowels such as /ɪ/

Question 6

/l/ vs /ɫ/

Answer 6

In Spanish the allophone dark /ɫ/ does not exist, therefore, Spanish speakers pronounce clear /l/ everywhere.