A case of empenthesis?

Question

Sometimes when I hear the [tr] sound in Spanish words, I hear an [e] in between the initial consonants. For example, in the word "trozo" I hear "terozo Similarly, I hear an [e] not represented in the spelling of "termómetro" in the internal part of the word. I hear "teremómetro." I this my perception, or is this actually a case of empenthesis in Spanish where a sound that native speakers do no perceive emerges.

Answer 1

It is normal to detect some hints of epenthesis (no "m") between certain vowels like "b", "t", "g", "c" and the "r". The example you mention, "trozo" contains such combination. This is probably due to the fact that in some cases it is more relaxed to maintain the vocal chords vibrating between consonants, and during the time it takes for the tongue to be raised before the flap, there is a time interval in which the air escapes the mouth unimpeded, with the vocal chords vibrating, which is the definition of a vowel. If you feel lazy and you move your tongue slowly in preparation for the flap while vibrating your vocal chords, you would be producing a long unintended vowel sound.

Another clear case of apenthesis is the insertion of an "e" before a syllable that beings with "s", like "Spiderman" (not a Spanish word), which is likely to be read as "espíderman". Other examples are semi-consonant sounds inserted in "hiatos", like turning "ríes" into "riyes".

Many cases of epenthesis have become the norm, like saying "parezco" instead of "parezo", o "pongo" instead of "pono".

Daniel Jones's assurances aside, I'm quite grateful for your post, as I'm assuredly unsure of my ability to "hear" correct pronunciation. - territurtle, Sep 7, 2011

Answer 2

I haven't noticed epenthesis (no m, please) in Spanish. In English, I most often hear it from mannered announcers--like those at sporting events--and people who incorrectly learned certain words, like *'mischievious' for 'mischievous' or trisyllabic 'evening'.