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Cambridge University Press, Journal of Child Language, 02(35)

DOI: 10.1017/s0305000907008513

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Is epenthesis a means to optimize feet? A reanalysis of the CLPF database

Journal article published in 2008 by Helena Taelman, Steven Gillis ORCID
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

ABSTRACTFikkert (1994) analyzed a large corpus of Dutch children's early language production, and found that they often add targetless syllables to their words in order to create bisyllabic feet. In this note we point out a methodological problem with that analysis: in an important number of cases, epenthetic vowels occur at places where grammatical morphemes (e.g. plural and diminutive suffixes) may be expected. Hence, the seemingly targetless syllables may represent grammatical morphemes. A reanalysis of Fikkert's original data reveals that her rhythmic explanation cannot be maintained if those cases are excluded from the analysis.