Felipe F. Kupske

Felipe F. Kupske

Doctor of Linguistics | Full Professor of English and Psycholinguistics

Teaching and Projects

Current research projects

(2023~present) Embodied cognition, body aesthetics and L2 Phonology

[Registered Project (Open Science Framework)] Embodied cognition theory posits that cognitive processes are influenced by sensory and motor experiences, including body aesthetics — how individuals perceive and evaluate their own bodies and bodily actions and those of others (Kupske, 2024). On this note, this project aims at investigating the role of embodiment and body aesthetics in L2 speech perception, processing and development.

–> Subproject (a): (2024~present) The impact of body aesthetics on the perception of L2 English speech by Brazilian bilinguals [Registered Project (Open Science Framework), DOI: osf.io/k2dfj]: L2 speech perception involves complex interactions among auditory, visual, and social cues. In this sense, this research project aims to investigate the impact of body aesthetics (race, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation on the perception of L2 English speech by Brazilian bilinguals. The study focuses on how these visual cues influence intelligibility and the perceived degree of accent. By employing a mixed-methods approach, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive and social mechanisms underlying these effects. This project will contribute to our understanding of multimodal and multidimensional perception and processing in bilingual/L2 speech development.

Speech perception, Attitudes and Stereotypes

–> Subproject (a): (2024~present) Accentedness judgment in L2 English spoken by Brazilian bilinguals over the telephone [Registered Project (Open Science Framework), DOI: osf.io/bk2ms/]: This project addresses the perception of accentedness in L2-English spoken over the telephone by Brazilian bilinguals with different proficiency levels. The data are part of the Brazilian Portuguese subset of the CSLU Foreign Accented English (CSLU FAE), release 1.2 (Lander, 2007), which consists of non-native speech in English by native speakers of 22 different languages. Spontaneous telephone speech was recorded using 16-bit 8kHz mono format. The non-native speakers were asked to talk about themselves in English for 20 seconds, totaling 24 hours of 4925 utterances. The corpus also includes information about the speakers’ linguistic backgrounds and perceptual ratings of their accents by native speakers of English.

–> Subproject (b): (2025~present) Perceived Accents and Perceived Traits: Attitudes Toward L2 English from Diverse L1 Speakers [Registered Project (Open Science Framework), DOI: osf.io/bk2ms/]: This project investigates how Brazilian bilingual listeners perceive L2 English spoken with different foreign accents influenced by speakers’ native languages (L1). Using speech samples from the CSLU Foreign Accented English corpus, the study explores how accent influences social judgments related to competence, friendliness, and trustworthiness. By examining listener attitudes and underlying stereotypes, the project aims to uncover how linguistic variation intersects with social perception, contributing to research in bilingualism, sociolinguistics, and accent bias. The Social Impact of L1 Influence on L2 English: Accent, Attitudes, and Stereotypes. Accents and Attitudes: How L1 Background Shapes Perceptions of L2 English Speakers. Bilingual Bias: Listener Judgments of L2 English Across Different L1 Accents.

(2023~present) Teaching Pronunciation and Speaking in the Global South

Integrating embodied cognition and decolonial perspectives into L2 speaking and pronunciation teaching practices can offer innovative approaches to address linguistic inequalities and promote social justice in language education. This research project aims to explore how embodied cognition and decoloniality can inform the teaching of L2 speaking and pronunciation.

(2023~present) First language attrition and speech perception

[Projeto Registrado (Compesq-Letras, UFRGS)] In the area of first ​​language attrition (FLA), studies that attempt to elucidate phonetic-phonological issues are the most scarce. Phonetic-phonological attrition is, therefore, a small area when compared to others (e.g., lexicon or syntax) and represents a scientific gap to be filled. Furthermore, the few studies on Brazilian phonetic-phonological attrition only focus on speech production without considering perception. Thus, in light of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), based on Laboratory Phonology, this project seeks to investigate the dynamics of speech perception in the development of English-L2 and, with special attention, in the attrition of BP-L1.

–> Subproject: (2023~2024) Creating perception tasks:

Past projects

(2018~2024) Bilinguismo e a perda não patológica de língua materna: uma análise da produção e percepção da fala de imigrantes soteropolitanos em Londres e de britânicos em Salvador

Grant: CAPES - Chamada Universal. Project No. 432396/2018. Grant total: R$ 120.000,00.

(2041~2017) First language attrition: VOT production by Brazilians in London

Teaching

Undergraduate courses