This thesis investigated the positional effects from surrounding segments on the acquisition of /ɹ/ in syllable onsets. The analysis was based on transcriptions of spontaneous productions from a...Show moreThis thesis investigated the positional effects from surrounding segments on the acquisition of /ɹ/ in syllable onsets. The analysis was based on transcriptions of spontaneous productions from a single child learning American English, collected over the course of around two years. Four contexts were examined in detail: word-initial singleton onsets, intervocalic singleton onsets, complex onsets with coronal stops, and complex onsets with labial stops. Results showed that acquisition of /ɹ/ in these contexts follows one of three slightly different developmental paths from making mistakes, deletions and/or substitutions, to producing recognizable [ɹ]’s. Previous literature suggested that coarticulation facilitates the production of [ɹ]’s in complex onsets with coronal stops, and this appeared to be the case for the data examined here. Substitution by [j] and [ɥ] occurred only adjacent to certain vowels, which can also be explained through coarticulation.Show less
