A visual analysis of the current status and trends of research on Mandarin tone acquisition by non-native Chinese speakers based on citespace

Abstract

This study employs CiteSpace to provide a visual analysis of the current state and trends in research on Mandarin tone acquisition by non-native speakers. Through data analysis of 131 papers from the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) and Scopus databases databases between 2015 and 2024, the Spatio-temporal distribution patterns, collaboration networks among authors/institutions, and keyword-based topic clusters were examined. The primary findings indicate a peak in publication volume from 2019 to 2021, with the United States and China as the major contributors. However, the collaborative network in this field is fragmented, with limited core authors and insufficient international collaboration. Keyword co-occurrence and burst detection highlight five major research areas: (1) perceptual mechanisms and acoustic features of Mandarin tone learning; (2) acquisition trajectories and proficiency effects; (3) teaching strategies and training methods; (4) cognitive and neural processing; and (5) cross-linguistic and cultural influences. Notably, perceptual training, auditory stimuli, and second language perception are identified as emerging hotspots. This study emphasizes the significance of bolstering interdisciplinary collaboration, a more profound focus on teaching approaches to tonal instruction, and the integration of technological innovations. The research provides a comprehensive foundation for the study and practice of Mandarin tone teaching for non-native learners.