earticle

영어

The purpose of this paper is to find out the reasons that a nasal stop /n/ is remarkably sensitive to plenty of assimilations in both place and manner of articulation in English. Through perceptual approach and voice analysis program of Praat, this study explores the unique properties of a nasal stop /n/ in English that becomes the target as well as the trigger of assimilations. Also it can be assimilated both regressively and progressively. Perceptual approach based on Steriade(2000) provides the proof that the perceptual cues of nasal stops determine whether assimilation would occur or not. The sound with stronger perceptual cue makes its adjacent sounds assimilated to it. It is argued that the perceptual cues of /n/ in English are dependent on its resonance similar to vowels, nasal murmur and CV transitions