Insertion of the voiceless fricative [s] at word-final position in Japanese English

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explains how the voiceless fricative [s], or what we refer to as ‘special [s],’ occurs in free talk produced by Japanese speakers of English and what this means for the current understanding of Japanese English. The discussion is based on a small corpus compiled by the authors from recordings. The findings are threefold. The special [s] is always voiceless, occurs only word-finally, and arises from four different pragmatic forces. These forces are discourse marker, hesitation, cause and effect, and expression of self. The definition of Japanese English has been built heavily on the influence of the first language (L1) on the second language (L2). While L1 transfer is integral to L2 English production, the present article supplements this view by disclosing facts about what L2 users do while they are engaged in speaking in English; that is, in usage events.