Block 2 · pages 9-16
Chapter 2: Phonological Structure – Syllable, Consonant Inventory, Contrasts, and Distributional Restrictions (Labials, Plosives)
2. Phonological Structure
2.1 Syllable Structure
Tadaksahak has the following syllable structures: open syllables CV, CVV; closed syllables CVC, CVCC. Doubly closed syllables only occur word-finally and always contain the feminine singular suffix -t. Long vowels only occur in non-final open syllables.
2.2 Consonants
2.2.1 Inventory of phonemes
There are 32 consonantal phonemes. Alveolar consonants also appear pharyngealized (marked with a dot). Consonant table includes: Labial (b, f, m, w), Alveolar (t, d, s, z, l, r, n), Pharyngealized Alveolar (ṭ, ḍ, ṣ, ẓ, ḷ, ṛ, ṇ), Palatal (c, j, ʃ, ʒ, y, ɲ), Velar (k, g, x, ɣ, ŋ), Pharyngeal (ħ, ʕ), Laryngeal (h).
2.2.2 Evidence of Consonantal Contrasts
Examples of minimal pairs are provided for contrasts such as b/m (báy 'know' / máy 'own'), b/f (bér 'big' / fér 'open'), b/d, d/t, d/ḍ, g/k, c/j, g/y, q/k, etc. Long consonants are also contrastive (e.g., yíli 'go out' vs. yílli 'soar').
2.2.3 Distributional Restrictions
2.2.3.1 Labials b and f
/b/ and /f/ occur in all positions, but /b/ never precedes voiceless stops (/t, k, q/) in mono-morphemic lexemes. French loans with /p/ become /f/.
2.2.3.2 Plosives
Affricates /c/ [tʃ] and /j/ [dʒ] are not found word-finally or syllable-finally except as geminates. They alternate with velars /k/ and /g/ before front vs. back vowels (e.g., arcini 'hyena' pl. irkana).
Keywords : phonology syllable structure consonants pharyngealized contrast labials plosives distribution
This grammar point in the works
Passages from the site’s works on this topic, with the page cited: the original text is authoritative.
-
… ts ............................................................. 7 2 Phonological Structure ............................................................. 9 2.1 Syllable Structure ................................................................ 9 2.2 Consonants ......................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Inventory of phonemes............................................. 9 2.2.2 Evidence of Consonantal Constrasts ......................10 2. …
Christiansen-Bolli (2010), A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali, p. 4
-
Phonological Structure 9 2. Phonological Structure 2.1 Syllable Structure In this section we describe the basic syllable patterns observed. In a word almost all consonants can occur in almost all positions. We do not give specifications here but discuss the restrictions under 2.2.3. Tadaksahak has the following syllable structures: (1) Syllable structure open syllables closed syllables CV CVC CVV CVCC In word-initial position, the onset may be absent, and vowel-initial syllab …
Christiansen-Bolli (2010), A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali, p. 26
-
… arbuste (sp) Yaníd avoir de la fièvre yaṇǝṇ dresser (chameau) Restrictions de répartition Dans les sous-sections suivantes, nous examinons les restrictions de distribution des différentes consonnes. Un type de consonne trouvé "dans toutes les positions " signifie que les positions "initiale du mot, initiale de la syllabe, intervocalique, finale de la syllabe et finale du mot" sont attestées dans nos données. Les consonances-séquences sont également discutées pour la position …
-
… é entre Ménaka et Niamey, à la frontière de la République du Niger. La caractéristique phonétique la plus significative de la variété Tamalet est la fusion des plosives palatales /c/ et /j/ avec les fricatives /ʃ/ et /ʒ/ respectivement. En outre, le préfixe féminin pluriel /t-ǝ-/ de Tadaksahak se prononce [ʃi-]. Il existe également un certain nombre de particularité lexicale. Les locuteurs de cette variante vivent à la frontière la plus orientale du territoire Idaksahak dans …