Searching for the “native” speaker: A preregistered conceptual replication and extension of Reid, Trofimovich, and O’Brien (2019)

Abstract This study conceptually replicated and extended Reid, Trofimovich, O’Brien (2019), who found that native English speakers could be biased positively (or negatively) relative to a control condition in terms of how they rate non-native speech. Our internet-based failed replicate Reid et al. across wider population sample “native” ( n = 189). Listeners did not change rated speech after social bias orientations performed similarly all five measures age race (Asian, Black, Caucasian). We attribute our results differences the methods (in-person vs. online) and/or participants. Of note, roughly one-third participants indicated proficiency languages other than residency 12 different English-speaking countries, despite identifying as a) fluent b) used primarily c) acquired before any language from birth. These screening items taken together qualified line with traditional psycholinguistics research. conclude concept “nativeness” is tied culture-specific perspectives surrounding use. As such, native/non-native categorical variable simultaneously serves limits advancement