An Optimality Analysis of English Consonantal Adaptation in Standard Arabic

Abstract

The present study investigates the phonological processes involved in the nativization process of English consonants onto Standard Arabic and provides an account of such processes within Optimality Theory (OT). Specifically, the merits of the analysis shed light on the consonantal alterations attested in Standard Arabic loanword corpus by the examination of the adequate phonological adjustment mechanisms used in the integration process of English consonants within OT. The study reveals that several phonological processes are attested, namely: voicing, devoicing, emphasization, affrication and deaffrication, uvularization, fronting and metathesis. In addition, results have stressed the role of both markedness and the phonological distinctive features of natural classes on the integration process. The study reveals that the consonantal alterations attested are grounded on the domination of the markedness constraints, which condition rendering the output less marked in SA, over the faithfulness constraints, which exert effort in preserving the output faithful to the input.