Intrusive consonants : the internal structure of English liquids

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to explore the internal structure of English liquids. This is done by ana- lysing some processes, both diachronic and synchronic, in which liquids are the leading actors. Thus we discuss historical liquid vocalization together with the vocalic developments in the pre- liquid position. Moreover, we look at two sandhi phenomena of liquid-zero alternations, i.e. link- ing and intrusion in two varieties of English recorded in southern England and north-eastern United States. We address the questions concerning the distribution, representation and interac- tion of liquids with the preceding vowel and explain the mechanics behind the liquid-zero alter- nations.