How does minimal pairs technique help in learning Japanese pronunciation

The minimal pairs technique helps in learning Japanese pronunciation by focusing learners’ attention on distinguishing between pairs of words that differ by only one sound, which is critical for differentiating meaning in Japanese. This method is effective for training learners to correctly perceive and produce subtle phonetic contrasts such as long vowels, double consonants, nasal sounds, youon sounds, and distinctions in similar sounds like those in the sa/sha and za/ja lines. Practicing with minimal pairs improves learners’ ability to recognize and articulate these sounds accurately, which enhances overall pronunciation and writing skills in Japanese. Although learners might find the repetitive nature of this technique tedious, it has proven beneficial in helping them internalize the differences in challenging Japanese phonemes and thus improve their pronunciation significantly. ¹

References

• The Effectiveness of the Minimal Pairs Technique in Learning Japanese Pronunciation

• Student’s Perspective: Using Minimal Pairs Technique To Improve Pronunciation

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• ANALYSIS OF THE USAGE OF MINIMAL PAIRS TECHNIQUE IN TEACHING PRONUNCIATION TO STUDENTS AT EIGHTH YEAR OF EDUCACION GENERAL BASICA “A” IN THE UNIDAD EDUCATIVA “PEDRO VICENTE MALDONADO” IN THE CITY OF RIOBAMBA, CHIMBORAZO PROVINCE, DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2018-2019.

• TEACHING PRONUNCIATION TO DIFFERENTIATE PHONEME /p/ AND /f/ BY USING MINIMAL PAIRS TECHNIQUE

• Study on Misuse Tendency in Perception of Japanese Clear Voice and Voiced Sound and Pronunciation Guidance -Focus on the guidance method using minimal pairs-

• Minimal Pair Bingo: Enhancing English Pronunciation among Japanese ESL Students

• IMPROVING STUDENTS’ PRONUNCIATION BY USING MINIMAL PAIRS DRILL IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

• Improving Students’ Pronunciation By Using Minimal Pairs Drill In Junior High School

• Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Systems Applied to Pronunciation Assessment of L2 Spanish for Japanese Speakers

• Nihongo Speech Trainer: A Pronunciation Training System for Japanese Sounds

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• Identification of Minimal Pairs of Japanese Pitch Accent in Noise-Vocoded Speech

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• How Orthography Modulates Morphological Priming: Subliminal Kanji Activation in Japanese

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