Exploring Vowel Epenthesis in Monosyllabic Words: A Perspective from Optimality Theory on Yemeni, Hijazi, and Quranic Arabic

This study examines vowel epenthesis (VE) in monosyllabic words in Quranic Arabic (QA), Yemeni Dialects (YD), and Hijazi Dialects (HD) using Optimality Theory (OT). Over 150 monosyllabic words from Quranic texts were analysed to compare VE patterns. Findings reveal that QA and YD largely resist VE, maintaining original consonant clusters, though QA may permit it in limited contexts. YD strictly avoids VE, even when QA allows it sparingly. In contrast, HD frequently employs VE, inserting [i], [a], or [u] depending on vowel harmony and phonological conditions, though some words remain without epenthesis. VE is particularly notable in CVCC structures within HD. The study highlights dialectal variation in epenthesis tolerance, influenced by historical, sociolinguistic, and phonological factors. These findings contribute to understanding phonological constraints in Arabic and the interplay of linguistic forces shaping dialectal differences.