Initial cluster timing in Japanese English

Abstract

Previous work on consonant cluster timing has found evidence of vowel insertion when second language speakers attempt foreign cluster pronunciations. It is also theorized that sonority should have an effect on articulation. An experiment is presented to examine whether these ideas hold true for Japanese English speakers. Results indicate that the sampled Japanese English speakers time their clusters very closely, without evidence of epenthesis. There seem to be minor effects of voicing and sonority, though not the effects that major theories on sonority would predict.