CONSONANT CLUSTERS IN ENGLISH: PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGICAL ASPECTS

This paper examines the phonetic and phonological characteristics of consonant clusters in English, focusing on their structural patterns, articulation, and distribution across syllable positions. It highlights the differences between native and loanword clusters, discusses common phonotactic constraints, and explores the processes that affect cluster simplification such as assimilation, deletion, and epenthesis. By analyzing these features, the study provides a clearer understanding of how consonant clusters contribute to English sound structure and how they influence pronunciation and linguistic variation among speakers.