The Adaptation Pattern of Coda Rhotic Consonants in Korean Loanword Phonology

Abstract

This paper investigates the adaptation of rhotic consonant codas in Korean loanword phonology. The hypothesis is that different rhotic consonant codas (/ɾ/, /r/ and /ɹ/) will be adapted differently in Korean loanword phonology. The prediction is based on existing loanwords. This is then tested through an experiment with Korean native speakers. The analysis that follows is based on OT constraints and the role of perception. I propose that the difference between the adaptation patterns of /ɾ/, /r/ and /ɹ/ should be explained on a perceptual level.