This paper discusses the neutralization of Korean which is found before licensed domain-final empty nuclei. I seek the motivation for this process from the syllable structure of Korean. I argue that all consonants which appear to be at the end of a wo...
This paper discusses the neutralization of Korean which is found before licensed domain-final empty nuclei. I seek the motivation for this process from the syllable structure of Korean. I argue that all consonants which appear to be at the end of a word, are actually followed by a domain-final empty nuclear position, which are licensed to be phonetically uninterpreted. Licensed empty nuclei exhibit a limited licensing power. Therefore, the consonants which can appear before licensed domain-final empty nuclei are severely constrained. To appear in this position, the consonants must lack the element H, but include the element? Therefore, only seven unreleased consonants are realized in this position.