Phonotactics

These languages show distinct preference for an open CVCV structure. Consequently consonants are often dropped from clusters, especially word-finally; e.g. Kriol ek ‘ax’. Speakers will also insert epenthetic vowels to avoid consonant clusters. As described earlier, these epenthetic vowels often conform to the rules of vowel harmony. However, increased contact with English can bring about the loss of these epenthetic vowels – consonant clusters are therefore more evident in speakers of urban varieties where English influence is stronger (through schooling, for example).

The open syllable target also means that some speakers will add final vowels. For example, in the Pijin of older, mostly rural speakers sukul becomes sukulu ‘school’ and bisinis becomes bisinisi ‘business’.