Comparative Acoustic Analysis of the Realization of Intonational Constructions IK-2 and IK-3 in the Russian Speech of Chinese Learners

The aim of this study is to determine the parameters by which intonational constructions differ in the speech of students and those that remain similar, as well as to clarify the phonetic nature of prosodic interference. The research focuses on Russian intonation in the speech of Chinese learners studying Russian as a foreign language. Specifically, it investigates the acoustic characteristics of intonational constructions IK-2 (question with a question word, falling tone with emphasis on the center) and IK-3 (yes/no question, rising tone at the center), as realized by students at three proficiency levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Differences between the constructions are analyzed based on tonal movement parameters (fundamental frequency, magnitude, and rate of rise) and the parameters of temporal organization (duration of the stressed syllable, timing and position of the tonal peak), as well as by comparing these values with those of native speakers. The material consists of 108 realizations of the stressed syllable at the intonational center obtained from 18 Chinese learners across the three proficiency levels, with recordings of a native speaker serving as a benchmark. Eight parameters were measured using Praat: fundamental frequency (beginning, maximum, end of the syllable), syllable duration, timing and position of the peak, magnitude, and rate of rise. The scientific novelty of this research lies in its first comparative analysis of the acoustic characteristics of IK-2 and IK-3 in the speech of Chinese learners at three levels of Russian language proficiency, based on a set of eight parameters, thereby clarifying the phonetic nature of interference. The findings reveal that the constructions significantly differ in the position of the tonal peak, initial fundamental frequency, and duration of the stressed syllable, while differences in the magnitude and rate of tonal rise are absent. The temporal localization of the tonal peak emerged as the main parameter differentiating communicative types, whereas a limited tonal range was a common deficiency regardless of the construction type. These results enhance the understanding of the phonetic nature of interference and suggest recommendations for adjusting the teaching methodology of Russian intonation in the Chinese context.