Cognitive phonology and the creation of slang: a case study of the bilabial plosive /p/ in final position

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the correlation between the pairing of the phonological input /p/ in final position with slang perception and creation within the vastly unexplored field of cognitive phonology. It approaches this primal objective by carrying out two practical methods: (i) a dictionary extraction of slang word stock (providing the semantic nature and semantic fields of the extracted data), and (ii) a conducted cognitive survey. The findings reflect the apparent connection between phonology, cognition and slang-stock formation, aided, and in some cases determined, by various formal aspects such as the syllabic or vocalic components of the studied lexical units. However, it would be compelling to take this study further under more favourable conditions with both the opportunity to study more lexical sources as well as that of reaching more test respondents. Therefore, the idea of this essay serving as a starting point for further research is relished.