Tonal prespecification in Bokobaru
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Date
2016-07
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Department of linguistics and languages, Adekunle Ajasin university, Akungba Akoko Nigeria
Abstract
Following Goldsmith’s (1976) dissertation which amplifies the idea that features above segments (suprasegments) in natural languages are autonomous, phonologists have considered investigating the relationship between segmental and suprasegmental features essential in phonological analysis. The synchronization of segmental and suprasegmental tiers has, however, led to the unraveling of various phonological phenomena like tonal underspecification and prespecification. This work examines tonal pre-specification in Bòkóbàrù language. Hence, Goldsmith’s autosegmental phonology is adopted based on its problem solving efficiency towards abstract features. The data used for this study were obtained via the use of the Ibadan 400 wordlist of basic items. A significant finding of this research is the discovery of the prespecified low toned nominaliser in Bòkóbàrù whose tone delinks a preceding tone. This discovery adds to the existing empirical evidences on the debate of directionality in autosegmental phonology. The study concludes by recommending the application of autosegmental framework on phenomena outside phonology like reduplication where its efficiency has equally been proved.
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Keywords
Autosegmental phonology, prespecification, tones, Bokobaru language
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