ROA: | 289 |
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Title: | Tonal Variation Across Emakhuwa Dialects |
Authors: | Farida Cassimjee, Charles W. Kisseberth |
Comment: | |
Length: | 27 |
Abstract: | Tonal Variation Across Emakhuwa Dialects Farida Cassimjee (Benedict College) and Charles W. Kisseberth (Tel Aviv University) Abstract This paper examines several representative dialects of Emakhuwa (Emakhuwa Central, Ikorovere, Eerati, Imitthupi, Enlai, and Esaaka) and demonstrates how the variations in the tonal patterns of these dialects can be understood in terms of a limited number of differences in the ranking of a set of universal constraints that have been proposed independently for other Bantu languages (see Cassimjee and Kisseberth (1998), Cassimjee (1998)). The analysis, which is carried out within the Optimal Domains Theory version of OT, provides striking support for the OT position that variation across languages and across dialects is a function of variation in constraint ranking. The analysis also further motivates the constraint set developed in the previously- mentioned works. The basic characteristics of the different dialects can be summarized as follows: (i) Emakhuwa Central is entirely faithful to its underlying tonal specifications. All and only moras that sponsor H tones in the input are pronounced on a H tone. (ii) In Ikorovere, the consraint No Monomoraic High Domain drives the doubling of input H tones (subject to restrictions imposed by highly- ranked constraints like Nonfinality). (iii) Eerati doubles H tones to the right like Ikorovere (subject to the same limitations), but then generally bans realization of the H tone on nonhead elements (except when failure to realize the tone would violate more highly ranked constraints like Plateau and No Rise). (iv) Imitthupi is exactly like Eerati except with respect to the gradient nature of the avoidance of non-head elements pronounced on a H tone. (v) Enlai is essentially like Eerati, except that it does not obey Nonfinality and an (apparently) related constraint involving IP-penult syllables. (vi) Esaaka is quite different from the other dialects. There is no general doubling. The doubling that occurs is the consequence of Plateau and No Fall. |
Type: | Paper/tech report |
Area/Keywords: | |
Article: | Version 1 |