De "functional load" en moeilijkheidsgraad van een klank versus het onderwijs van de Nederlandse uitspraak

Abstract

Making a classification of sounds of a foreign language is a very important part of pronunciation classes. Such a classification is mostly based on difficulty level of sounds but it can be extended by adding other factors, like the functional load of a sound. The article tries to explore the phenomenon of functional load (what it is, how it is connected to the difficulty level, does it play a role in selected books on Dutch pronunciation etc.). Furthermore, it discusses its role in preparing a classification of (Dutch) vowels for didactical purposes, especially how a classification based on the difficulty level of sounds changes when such factor as the functional load is taken into account. Finally, the discussion focuses on implications of the research for effective pronunciation exercises in Dutch.

Keywords

• functional load
• difficulty level
• pronunciation
• Dutch
• Polish