This study applied the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis in the framework of Optimality Theory (Prince and Smolensky, 1993/2004) to show whether British accent or American accent is easier to pronounce for Persian speakers. The word “easier” indicates that a pronunciation which corresponds to the phonological aspects of Persian and is more similar to them is predicted to be effortless for Persian speakers according to the strong version of the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis. First, it was specified which accent comprises the input of the English words in the pronunciation of Persian speakers. Then, upon comparing the phonological similarities and differences beween Persian and these two accents which were formalized in the OT constraint rankings, it was argued that regarding the pronunciation of /r/, the diphthong /ow/, and the unround vowel //, the American accent is easier, while as to the non-deletion of /j/ and non-occurance of flapping, the British accent is easier.
Jam, B. (2025). Contrastive Analysis of The British and American Accents in Terms of The Ease of Pronunciation for Persian Speakers: An OT Account. Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice, (), -. doi: 10.22034/jls.2025.142322.1178
MLA
Jam, B. . "Contrastive Analysis of The British and American Accents in Terms of The Ease of Pronunciation for Persian Speakers: An OT Account", Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice, , , 2025, -. doi: 10.22034/jls.2025.142322.1178
HARVARD
Jam, B. (2025). 'Contrastive Analysis of The British and American Accents in Terms of The Ease of Pronunciation for Persian Speakers: An OT Account', Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22034/jls.2025.142322.1178
CHICAGO
B. Jam, "Contrastive Analysis of The British and American Accents in Terms of The Ease of Pronunciation for Persian Speakers: An OT Account," Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice, (2025): -, doi: 10.22034/jls.2025.142322.1178
VANCOUVER
Jam, B. Contrastive Analysis of The British and American Accents in Terms of The Ease of Pronunciation for Persian Speakers: An OT Account. Linguistic Studies: Theory and Practice, 2025; (): -. doi: 10.22034/jls.2025.142322.1178
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