épenthèse

Épenthèse is a linguistic phenomenon where a sound is inserted into a word. This insertion typically occurs between two existing sounds, or at the beginning or end of a word, though the latter is less common and often classified differently. The purpose of épenthèse is often to ease pronunciation by breaking up difficult consonant clusters or by filling a perceived gap. It can also be a natural development over time as languages evolve.

Common examples of épenthèse can be found in various languages. In English, for instance, the word "athlete" is sometimes pronounced with an extra 'e' sound, "ath-uh-leet," which is an example of épenthèse. Similarly, in Spanish, words like "dormir" (to sleep) can sometimes become "dormir" with an inserted 'i' sound, "dor-i-mir," especially in certain dialects or rapid speech. This phenomenon is not always considered standard and may be viewed as informal or even erroneous by some speakers, but it is a widespread and natural aspect of language change and variation.

Épenthèse can affect vowels or consonants. The inserted sound is often similar to sounds already present in the word or sounds that are phonetically easy to produce in the surrounding environment. Understanding épenthèse helps linguists analyze sound changes in languages and explain variations in pronunciation that occur both historically and in contemporary speech. It is a subtle but significant aspect of phonology.