epenthesis Definition
the addition of one or more sounds to a word, especially to the interior of a word.
Using epenthesis: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "epenthesis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In some dialects of English, an epenthetic 'r' is added between vowels, as in 'warsh' instead of 'wash'.
Example
Epenthesis can also occur in loanwords, such as 'ham-bur-guesa' in Spanish for 'hamburger'.
Example
The pronunciation of 'athlete' with a schwa sound in the second syllable is an example of epenthesis.
Summary: epenthesis in Brief
Epenthesis [əˈpɛnθəsɪs] is a linguistic term that refers to the addition of one or more sounds to a word, especially to the interior of a word. It can occur in different contexts, such as dialects, loanwords, and pronunciations of certain words.
