Nature and Functions of Vowel Epenthesis in Yoruba Loanwords

Abstract

Vowel epenthesis processes vary in their characteristics, and many aspects of their typology are still under continuous study even in English, wherein a lot of academic work has been done, much less so in Yoruba and other African languages where a large part of academic research on the phenomenon is still evolving. The focus of this work is on the identification of form and pattern as well as on the diversity of vowel epenthesis processes in loanwords in Yoruba language. The work also attempts to identify the functions performed by epenthetic vowels in ensuring the complete adaptability of loanwords into the language by examining nature and processes. In addition to identifying and classifying vowel epenthesis as it appears in Yoruba loanwords, this work also examined some empirical questions on the causes and functions of vowel epenthesis, as well as the location and quality of epenthetic vowels in Yoruba loanwords. This study revealed that vowel epenthesis processes in Yoruba loanwords are diverse in nature, functions and position.