Vowel Pronunciation Errors in English Biomedical Terminology by Arab Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the kinds of vowel pronunciation errors made by Arab healthcare professionals such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, lab technicians, radiologists and others. Additionally, the study aimed to find out whether the mispronounced vowels in biomedical terms are interlingual, intralingual, or developmental. A sample of 75 biomedical terms with mispronounced vowels was collected from the spontaneous speech of 52 Arab healthcare professionals. 45% of the participants work at pharmacies in Riyadh, 5 hospitals and polyclinics and 55% are YouTubers with healthcare channels on YouTube. Data analysis showed that the subjects make a variety of vowel mispronunciations such as pronouncing terms with y & i as /ai/ in (acetyl, methyl, vertigo, cervical) as in the letter name in the English alphabet, relate them to analyze, overgeneralize the pronunciation of i in combine to combination, pronounce the suffix -gia in neuralgia & metatarsalgia orthographically as /dʒjə/ instead of /dʒə/. They also lengthen “-in”, “-on” & “-ol” ending to /i:n/, /ɔːn/ & /ɔːl/ in Aspirin, Melatonin, Insulin, Relaxon, Parafon, Pantozol due to Arabic phonetic tendencies, overcorrection & by analogy with caffeine. /eu/ in Euthyrox  and Eucarbon is pronounced /ʊ/ not /yʊ/. By contrast the eu in Neuroton is pronounced /ju/ or /jʊ/ instead of /ʊ/ or /u/. In diet, the triphthong /ˈdaɪ.ət/ or /ˈdaɪ.ɪt/ is reduced to the diphthong /ai/ (/daɪt/). The vowels a, e, o in  Galvus, Omega & Mobic are shortened. They changed the vowel in "Rapidus," "Centrum," "Maximum," from /ə/ sound (schwa) to /ʊ/ due to Arabic phonotactic influence. Vowel mispronunciations can be attributed to orthographic influence (cervical), overgeneralization from related words (combine), overgeneralization of familiar patterns to new biomedical terms as the analogy between amylase and analyze and applying phonological interference, leading to vowel shifts. Further examples of vowel pronunciation errors, the strategies used in pronouncing them, and whether the errors are interlingual, intralingual, or developmental are described. Recommendations for vowel pronunciation improvement for healthcare students, faculty and professionals are given as well.