Why does epenthesis (vowel insertion) occur in certain consonant clusters during second language acquisition?

💡 Explanation

Epenthesis arises to meet the syllable structure constraints required by the second language phonology, especially when consonant clusters violate the permissible syllable structure. This occurs because learners apply a constraint ranking that prioritizes well-formed syllables; therefore, insertion is favored rather than direct violation of phonotactic rules or maintaining unfamiliar motor gestures.

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