Benjamin Souza

Dr. Benjamin Souza is a Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures at Appalachian State University. He specializes in Spanish linguistics, focusing on second language acquisition, phonetics, and dialectology. His research includes investigations into beginning Spanish learners' lexical development and foreign accentedness. He co-coordinates Spanish Education majors and beginning/intermediate Spanish courses.

Educations:

• PhD, Pennsylvania State University (2010)
• MA, Brigham Young University (2006)
• BA, Idaho State University (2000)

His research interests encompass bilingual attitudes toward L2 pronunciation, Spanish phonetics, and language acquisition methodologies. He has conducted fieldwork in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and during study abroad programs in Spain. Recent publications and presentations explore topics like self-guided pronunciation practice and pitch perception in L2 phonology.

Publications/Presentations Highlights:

• 2013: Conference presentation on self-guided pronunciation practice
• 2012: Article on bilingual L2 pronunciation attitudes
• 2011: Psychology of Music article on pitch perception and phonological production