VOWEL EPENTHESIS EMERGENCE IN CODA POSITION BY BRAZILIAN LEARNERS OF ENGLISH

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the occurrence of vowel epenthesis on unvoiced stops and fricatives in coda position on the speech of Potiguar learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The research question asks: considering p, t, k, s, and f in final coda positions, which are the main factors associated to epenthesis emergence by Potiguar EFL learners? The hypothesis states that proficiency level, coda type, writing patterns and phonotactic context influence significantly epenthesis emergence by Potiguar EFL learners. An experiment was carried out consisting on the reading of 15 words ending with unvoiced occlusives or fricatives in coda (p t k f s). As a result, the variable proficiency level is an influencing factor for the occurrence of epenthesis, once beginners allowed more instances of the phenomenon. In relation to the type of final coda, it was not possible to claim which consonant is the highest influence for occurrence of epenthesis. There was no significant difference between the occurrence of epenthesis on words ending with consonants and the vowel e. Finally, the variable phonotactic context was also non-significant, as there is no influence of the phonotactic contexts (CVC, CVVC or CVCC) on epenthesis emergence.