earticle

영어

This study aims to analyse the distribution of consonants in the middle of pure Korean words. The characteristic properties of word-initial and final consonants have been treated in many previous researches. However, not many researches have done about the distributional characteristics of word-internal consonant sequences so far. Therefore, in this research, distributional characteristics of word-internal consonants will be discussed within the framework of Government Phonology(GP). Roughly speaking, almost all consonants such as liquids, nasals, and neutral obstruents precede aspirated/tensed consonants, However, no consonant such as nasals, and any kinds of obstruents (i.e. neutral, aspirated or tensed) can appear before liquids. Liquids can be followed by the same liquids only. Otherwise, the vowel [ɨ] must be realised. This is illustrated by the Empty Category Principle (ECP) and Inter-Onset Government in GP.