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Implications of Consonant Nasalization for a Theory of Harmony

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2016

G.L. Piggott
G.L. Piggott*
Affiliation:
McGill University
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Abstract

Nasalization in several Bantu languages skips vowels and, in some cases, also skips consonants. This process does not appear to apply in a local fashion. A solution to the locality problem has not been found so far in the conventional approaches to harmony. This article offers a novel analysis which maintains the general principle that elements related by rules or constraints are adjacent. It departs from the conventional description of harmony as a purely segmental relation and derives the effects of long distance consonant nasalization from the reconfiguration of harmony as a relation between suprasegmental units. One pattern found in Lamba is described as agreement between adjacent syllables, while another pattern found in Kikongo instantiates agreement between adjacent feet. This article recognizes a new functional foot-type, the Harmony Foot.

Résumé

Résumé

Certains processus de nasalisation dans plusieurs langues bantoues sautent (évitent) des voyelles et, dans certains cas, des consonnes. Ces processus semblent donc s’appliquer de manière non locale. Les approches conventionnelles de l’harmonie n’ont jusqu’ici apporté aucune solution à ce problème de localité. Cet article propose une analyse nouvelle, qui soutient le principe général selon lequel les éléments reliés par règles ou contraintes sont adjacents. Cette analyse vient à l’encontre des analyses conventionnelles qui abordent l’harmonie comme une relation uniquement segmentale; les effets à distance de l’harmonie sont ici vus comme étant causés par des relations entre les unités suprasegmentales. Ainsi un patron harmonique du lamba est considéré comme une relation d’identité entre syllabes. De la même manière, un patron harmonique du kikongo est causé par une relation d’identité entre pieds prosodiques adjacents. Cet article prône donc l’existence d’un nouveau type de pied : le pied harmonique.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Linguistics/Revue canadienne de linguistique , Volume 41 , Issue 2 , June 1996 , pp. 141 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Linguistic Association 1996

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