Línguas bantu

Abstract

This thesis looks at the segmental sounds that are operative in Barwe. It starts by describing how the data collection was strategized starting with preliminary surveys. It describes the data collection stages that subsequently took place. A description of how the data was processed, stored and retrieved for analysis using corpus processing programmes such as the Corpus Query and the Transcriber programmes was also made. The thesis thus identifies and makes a description of the characteristics of the phonemes as they occur and operate in the language. It also makes a phonetic description of how the sounds are articulated. The main focus is the operations of the sound system of the language that involves the sounds that have been placed into two categories which are consonants and vowels. These sounds combine and operate together in the formation of syllables which consist of consonants which are represented with C and vowels represented with V. As they combine to form syllables these sounds have defined roles as the Cs are shown to be syllable margins while the vowels play the nucleus role in syllables known to be CV shaped. As these sounds string and partner for the syllable formulation they interact between themselves thereby setting the phonological processes which are traced and analysed in this thesis. Thus the stringing together of the sounds is not random as Barwe like all the other languages of the world regulates the patterning that is permissible within the language. Thus, in the thesis we show that as these sounds partner they position themselves in ways that allow the mentioned sound interaction. This occurs in regulated fashion as some positioning can be allowed while some are disallowed. Thus as we identify the unitary sounds that are operative in the language we also demonstrate that these sounds do not linearly operate as individual sounds. iTwo theoretical frameworks are used in the thesis to try analyse the phonological processes in the language. These are the Lexical Phonology theory and CV Phonology. Lexical phonology theory recognizes that morphological processes in a word trigger new sound configurations in the word. On the other hand, CV Phonology recognizes that sounds combine but they are in two categories as they either belong to the C or V tier of the syllable. Thus in the thesis the operations of the sounds are analysed and described looking at the functional role in terms of the C and V demarcations. The sounds are shown to be operating as composite phonological units which are thus shown as occupying the C or V slot on the CV tier. Thus as reflected in the title of the thesis, the interest is in the constituent elements and as the analysis in the thesis goes on we show that each sound belongs to a syllable position while each syllable has segment content. We thus make a historical analysis of the Bantu sounds development in general but also making a focus on the development in Barwe. We then look at the specific phonological processes that involve particular categories of sounds. We describe and analyse glide formation, glide insertion, vowel deletion, vowel coalescence, and vowel harmony as phonological processes that involve Barwe vowels. We also look at sound processes that involve consonant operations as we analyse prenasalizition in general and one that comes as a result of the class 9 and 10 prefixation (N). Also looked at are the operations of the syllabic nasal N which now operates as a C component without a vowel after the historical prefix vowel loss. The N is shown to assimilate the place features of the consonants it precedes. The thesis also discusses the complex sound production in the language as we analyse the sound modifications that come with secondary articulation involving the labiovelar [w]. It partners other consonants thereby resulting labialization and velarization of those sounds. The thesis also looks at the operations of the liquids [l] and [ɾ] which are shown to be a single sound as there are no minimal pairs to demonstrate that they are separate sounds of the language. iiThese co-occur in unextended verbs domains for the purpose of dissimilation. [ɾ] is shown also operating as a pre-flap as it pre-modifies [k] and [ʒ]. We also draw the conclusion that as Barwe go through language sound change of the two liquids [ɾ] is preferred as the [l] from adoptives is rephonologised to [r]. We then sum up the discussion looking at conclusions and summaries made in all the chapters