Open AccessA generative account of consonant alternations in Baba 1
Author(s) -
Nashipu Julius Pepandze
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
studies in african linguistics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.178
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 2154-428X
pISSN - 0039-3533
DOI - 10.32473/sal.v37i1.107300
Subject(s) - morpheme , linguistics , generative grammar , consonant , contrast (vision) , phonological rule , consonant cluster , morphophonology , phonology , computer science , philosophy , artificial intelligence , vowel
This paper analyses and accounts for various patterns of alternations exhibited by consonants as they interact within morphemes in Baba I. Most of the alternations manifested by the consonantal segments of this language are in accordance with general phonological principles. Nevertheless, there are some apparently complex alternations that may not be sufficiently accounted for using simple phonetic logic, and that exhibits some typological novelties, which may be of some theoretical interest to specialists in the field. Moreover, the underlying consonant system of this language constitutes a typological curiosity rarely documented in the world's languages. The contrast between voiced and voiceless consonants is highly restricted, appearing only with labio-dental, but never alveolar sounds.