Experimental Log: Spoken Language Acquisition I am conducting an experiment into spoken language acquisition across the following languages, categorised by their rhythmic timing systems: 1. Stress-Timed Languages In these languages, the duration between stressed syllables is relatively constant, regardless of how many syllables are in between. German: (One year's tuition; last lesson in 1980). Dutch: (No experience). Arabic: (No experience; note: while often considered stress-timed, it possesses unique pharyngeal resonance). Irish: (No experience). 2. Syllable-Timed Languages In these languages, each syllable takes up roughly the same amount of time, creating a "machine-gun" or melodic rhythm. French: ('O' Level, 1982). Spanish: (No experience). Italian: (No experience). Chinese: (No experience; note: also a tonal language, which adds a vertical dimension to the timing). 3. Mora-Timed Languages A unique system where the timing is based on "morae"...
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