The Morphophonemics of Japanese Verbal Conjugation: an Autosegmental Account*

Problems emerging from previous analyses of epenthesis in Japanese verbal endings are discussed and a crucial relationship between epenthesis and assimilation is argued. The focus is on the occurrence of /i/-epenthesis with certain root-final consonants. The analysis, which incorporates the view that assimilation is accomplished by means of autosegmental spreading, illustrate* that epenthesis cannot split clusters that have undergone assimilation. Assimilation and epenthesis are seen as complementary, with epenthesis occurring where assimilation has not. (MSE) ********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document***********************************************************************