Syllabic Structure of English Borrowings in Urdu

Abstract

Syllabification principles play a significant role in the phonological
patterns of any language. This paper aims to analyze the performance
of maximum onset principle and sonority sequence principle in
organizing the syllabic structure of English borrowed words. The
stability of the principles in Urdu syllabification is checked by
applying two principles on borrowed words one by one and then by
comparing with original syllabic structure of the words by native
Urdu speakers after applying epenthesis rule. Different situations
through which the violation of the principles is required are also
explained. The syllabic structures that undergo the process of
observance and violation of the principles are extracted by the
researchers. The present study finds preference of sonority sequence
principle over maximum onset principle and suggests sonority
sequence principle, the suitable method for Urdu syllabification.