Variation of Simplification Strategies in the production of Consonant Sequences

Variation of Simplification Strategies in the production of Consonant Sequences

This paper investigates inter-subjects' variation in the production of English consonant clusters by Korean speakers of English. Specifically, this paper shows that inter-subjects' variation in cluster simplification can be accounted for by the model of constraint re-ranking within the framework of Optimality Theory. That is, whether vowel insertion or consonant deletion occurs in order to break up clusters hinges on the alternating ranking between Max(segment) and Dep (segment). Similarly, the ranking between s-adjunct and Onset Sonority determines a vowel insertion site. Also, high-ranked markedness constraints like CCC and CC trigger simplification in cluster production. More importantly, however, this paper proposes that the Complex constraint should be split into two subconstraints: CC and CCC. The paper also suggests that /s/ and the following consonant should be treated as a single unit as they often resist vowel insertion between them.