Epenthesis as a Hiatus Breaker: The Case of Esahie Phonology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62819/bej.2026.2772Keywords:
Esahie (Sehwi), hiatus, epenthesis, feature geometry, glide insertion, ATR harmonyAbstract
This study investigates hiatus resolution in Esahie (Sehwi), a Central Comoe language, with particular focus on glide epenthesis and feature-driven conditioning. The analysis is based on primary phonological data collected from 10 native speakers through structured elicitation tasks involving approximately 100 lexical items and phrasal constructions designed to create vowel hiatus environments. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and systematically coded according to vowel height, backness, and Advanced Tongue Root (ATR) features. The reliability of the data was checked using speaker validation and iterative elicitation and feedback session procedures. The study adopts a qualitative descriptive approach within the frameworks of Generative Phonology and Feature Geometry to examine how these features condition the selection of epenthetic glides [j] and [w]. The findings show that high-front vowels strongly favor palatal glide insertion regardless of position, providing evidence for both progressive V1 and regressive V2 spreading. This challenges the traditional assumption of V1 dominance in hiatus resolution. Additionally, [-ATR] high-back vowels consistently trigger labio-velar [w], even in environments where front vowels are present. These results support a feature hierarchy model in which palatal and ATR features determine glide selection, demonstrating that hiatus resolution in Esahie is a systematic, feature-driven process rather than a purely positional one.
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