Abstract

This study examines the perception of English vowels by Chilean learners of English and other foreign languages. The research explores how first language phonology influences the discrimination and identification of English vowels, focusing on patterns of confusion and transfer effects. Using a perception test with controlled stimuli, responses were collected from learners with different linguistic backgrounds and proficiency levels. Results indicate significant variability in the perception of mid and high front vowels, with common substitutions reflecting L1-based phonetic categories. Findings contribute to understanding cross-linguistic influences on L2 vowel acquisition and suggest pedagogical implications for pronunciation instruction in Chilean EFL contexts.