epenthesis
/ɛˈpɛnθɪsɪs
/noun (plural epentheses /ɛˈpɛnθɪsiːz/) [mass noun]
The insertion of a sound or letter within a word, e.g. the b in thimble.This epenthesis often shows up even when Sicilians speak Italian....
- Data were categorized as accurately produced, produced with modifications (epenthesis or feature change), or absent, which meant that one or more of the consonants in the coda were not produced.
- I assume we know the correct hidden structure (like foot structure) and the correct underlying forms (no epenthesis or deletion or lexical stress).
Derivatives
epenthetic
- An epenthetic vowel can be added to break up a consonant cluster.
- Sicilian, phonetically characterized by the presence of retroflexed consonants, not only keeps all the vowel sounds clear and loud but introduces an epenthetic [i] in some consonantic groups.
Origin
Mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek, from epentithenai 'insert', from epi 'in addition' + en- 'within' + tithenai 'to place'.