Domination of Phonological Coding System of L1 Over L2 in Dual Coding Theory

The issue concerning whether the speech sound in bilingualism is activated by one system or two systems of different languages simultaneously requires further evidence. Thus, this study attempted to prove the dominance of sound systems across English and Balinese from the perspective of dual coding theory. This study applied a qualitative approach that describes the English speech of Balinese speaking students presented in the form of a segmental category. This study involved 76 students of English in Denpasar as respondents. The instruments were in the form of 65 English words list, picture lists, and 10 sentences. The phonetic features including formant value and voiced onset time (VOT) were analyzed by PRAAT. Each data were classified using the articulatory phonetic and referential technique. The study revealed that the students tended to activate the system of L2 independently but arrived at the phonetic realization of L1. The mental sound process occurs from coding, retrieval, and phonetic implementation. Balinese speaking students in articulating English activate L1 and L2. However, the phonetic implementation can be purely L2, mixed L1 and L2, or just purely L1. This tendency depends upon students’ phonological awareness, learning experience, or their daily practice. This study suggests that the four levels of students’ English articulation involve transmission, perception, phonological process, and phonetic realization. The activation of the sound system of L1 into L2 occurs in the perception level. This study suggests that the learners and teachers of English in Bali should adopt explicit learning to minimize the influence of L1 on L2.