Syllables - Revision history

Erin: /* References */

2012-07-27T20:30:52Z

References

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	=References=		=References=

	* Fidelholz, James Lawrence (1963). Micmac Morphophonemics PhD. Dissertation, Massechusetts Institute of Technology		* Fidelholz, James Lawrence (1963). ''Micmac Morphophonemics''. PhD. Dissertation, Massechusetts Institute of Technology
	* Gussenhoven, Carlos and Haike Jacobs (2005). Understanding Phonology 2nd ed. London: Hodder Education		* Gussenhoven, Carlos and Haike Jacobs (2005). ''Understanding Phonology''. 2nd ed. London: Hodder Education
	* [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/ Mi'gmaq Talking Dictionary]		* [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/ Mi'gmaq Talking Dictionary]

Erin: /* Syllable-Initial */

2012-07-23T14:52:12Z

Syllable-Initial

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	For the most part, Mi'gmaq only allows ''one consonant'' at the beginning of a syllable (that is, before the vowel. Linguists refer to this as the syllable '''onset'''). The one known exception to this rule is the word ''plamu'', 'salmon', which has two consonants at the beginning of a word. Interestingly, when these two consonants are in the middle of a word, they are subject to the normal [[Writing Schwa\|schwa insertion rules]], as in ''gesplatl'', 'he or she makes it (as in a knife) dull', syllabified ''ges.'''p'''.'''la'''.tl'' and pronounced [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/g/gesplatl/recording1.mp3 [gɛs.pə.la.dl̩]].		For the most part, Mi'gmaq only allows ''one consonant'' at the beginning of a syllable (that is, before the vowel. Linguists refer to this as the syllable '''onset'''). The one known exception to this rule is the word ''plamu'', 'salmon', which has two consonants at the beginning of a word. Interestingly, when these two consonants are in the middle of a word, they are subject to the normal [[Writing Schwa\|schwa insertion rules]], as in ''gesplatl'', 'he or she makes it (as in a knife) dull', syllabified ''ges.'''p'''.'''la'''.tl'' and pronounced [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/g/gesplatl/recording1.mp3 [gɛs.pə.la.dl̩]].

	Some speakers who learned to speak both English and Mi'gmaq at a young age, or who learned Mi'gmaq after learning English will allow many more words to begin with two (or more) consonants. ~~This is a fairly common occurrence in~~ English - see, for example, '''''cl'''ock'', '''''tr'''ee'', '''''str'''aight'', etc. For example, the word ''gloqowej'', 'star', is pronounced by these speakers as ['''glo'''.ɦo.wɛtʃ], while it is pronounced by other speakers as ['''gə'''.'''lo'''.ɦo.wɛtʃ]. Interestingly enough, these speakers will also sometimes pronounce initial ''tl-'' clusters as part of a single syllable, as in ''tlawo'qte'g'', 'he or she strikes it with a knife', pronounced ['''tla'''.woːq.teːkʰ] by these speakers and ['''tə'''.'''la'''.woːɦ.teːkʰ] by others. These ''tl-'' clusters are extremely rare and almost never appear in the world's languages.		Some speakers who learned to speak both English and Mi'gmaq at a young age, or who learned Mi'gmaq after learning English will allow many more words to begin with two (or more) consonants. After all, English has many words which begin with more than one consonant - see, for example, '''''cl'''ock'', '''''tr'''ee'', '''''str'''aight'', etc. For example, the word ''gloqowej'', 'star', is pronounced by these speakers as ['''glo'''.ɦo.wɛtʃ], while it is pronounced by other speakers as ['''gə'''.'''lo'''.ɦo.wɛtʃ]. Interestingly enough, these speakers will also sometimes pronounce initial ''tl-'' clusters as part of a single syllable, as in ''tlawo'qte'g'', 'he or she strikes it with a knife', pronounced ['''tla'''.woːq.teːkʰ] by these speakers and ['''tə'''.'''la'''.woːɦ.teːkʰ] by others. These ''tl-'' clusters are extremely rare and almost never appear in the world's languages.

	It should be noted that all syllable onsets with two consonants - when allowed - ''rise'' in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonority_hierarchy '''sonority''']. In Mi'gmaq, the sonority hierarchy is as follows, from ''least'' to ''most'' sonorous:		It should be noted that all syllable onsets with two consonants - when allowed - ''rise'' in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonority_hierarchy '''sonority''']. In Mi'gmaq, the sonority hierarchy is as follows, from ''least'' to ''most'' sonorous:
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	''p'', ''t'', ''g'', ''gw'', ''q'', ''qw'', ''s'', ''j'' (all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstruent osbtruents]) < ''m'' < ''n'' < ''l'' < ''w'', ''y'' < all vowels		''p'', ''t'', ''g'', ''gw'', ''q'', ''qw'', ''s'', ''j'' (all [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstruent osbtruents]) < ''m'' < ''n'' < ''l'' < ''w'', ''y'' < all vowels

	That is, syllables like the ''pla'' in ''plamu'', 'salmon', are allowed, since ''p'' is less sonorous than ''l''. However, the ''lmu'' in ''lmu'j'', 'dog', cannot be a single syllable, because ''l'' is more sonorous than ''m'', and therefore sonority ''decreases'' in this sequence of consonants.		That is, syllables like the ''pla'' in ''plamu'', 'salmon', are allowed, since ''p'' is less sonorous than ''l''. However, the ''lmu'' in ''lmu'j'', 'dog', cannot be a single syllable, because ''l'' is more sonorous than ''m'', and therefore sonority ''decreases'' in this sequence of consonants.

	====Syllable-Final====		====Syllable-Final====

Erin: /* Consonants */

2012-07-23T14:51:01Z

Consonants

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	==Consonants==		==Consonants==

	Much of the restrictions on consonants within syllables deal with which consonants may appear ~~adjacent~~ to others. These form what are often referred to as '''consonant clusters'''. They are described below.		Much of the restrictions on consonants within syllables deal with which consonants may appear next to others. These form what are often referred to as '''consonant clusters'''. They are described below.

	Other restrictions deal with where different consonants can appear within syllables, although much of these fall within syllable contact restrictions and will be discussed later.		Other restrictions deal with where different consonants can appear within syllables, although much of these fall within syllable contact restrictions and will be discussed later.

Erin: /* Within-Syllable Restrictions */

2012-07-23T14:49:50Z

Within-Syllable Restrictions

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	=Within-Syllable Restrictions=		=Within-Syllable Restrictions=

	Although the above list of syllable templates is extensive, it cannot completely describe the phonotactics of Mi'gmaq. Two further kinds of limitations have to be described: restrictions ~~which~~ apply ''within'' these syllable types, and restrictions ~~which~~ apply ''between'' them. This section will describe the limitations on what can occur within syllables; the following section will describe the limitations on syllable contact.		Although the above list of syllable templates is extensive, it cannot completely describe the phonotactics of Mi'gmaq. Two further kinds of limitations have to be described: restrictions that apply ''within'' these syllable types, and restrictions that apply ''between'' them. This section will describe the limitations on what can occur within syllables; the following section will describe the limitations on syllable contact.

	==Vowels==		==Vowels==

Erin: /* Possible Syllable Shapes */

2012-07-23T14:48:59Z

Possible Syllable Shapes

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	The following table lists the kinds of syllable shapes that are so far attested in Mi'gmaq (although others are certainly possible), along with an example written both in the [[Spelling\|Listuguj orthography]] and in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipa International Phonetic Alphabet], or IPA. '''V''' stands in for any [[Spelling#Vowels\|vowel]], '''VV''' for any long vowel, and '''C''' for any [[Spelling#Consonants\|consonant]].		The following table lists the kinds of syllable shapes that are so far attested in Mi'gmaq (although others are certainly possible), along with an example written both in the [[Spelling\|Listuguj orthography]] and in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipa International Phonetic Alphabet], or IPA. '''V''' stands in for any [[Spelling#Vowels\|vowel]], '''VV''' for any long vowel, and '''C''' for any [[Spelling#Consonants\|consonant]].

	Please note that in this case, V includes the vowels written in the Listuguj orthography and [[~~Writing~~ Schwa\|schwa]], which is only occasionally written.		Please note that in this case, V includes the vowels written in the Listuguj orthography and [[Schwa\|schwa]], which is only occasionally [[Writing Schwa\|written]].

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Erin: /* Syllable Types and Restrictions */

2012-07-17T15:38:10Z

Syllable Types and Restrictions

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	** Word-initially, two consonants may come ''before'' a vowel for some speakers. The consonants must ''rise'' in sonority.		** Word-initially, two consonants may come ''before'' a vowel for some speakers. The consonants must ''rise'' in sonority.
	** When two ore more consonants appear ''after'' a vowel (within the same syllable) they must ''decrease'' in sonority or stay at the ''same'' sonority.		** When two ore more consonants appear ''after'' a vowel (within the same syllable) they must ''decrease'' in sonority or stay at the ''same'' sonority.
	* Word-internally, syllables can ''end'' in one consonant ''followed by s''.		* Word-internally, syllables can ''end'' in at most one consonant ''followed by s''.
	* Word-finally, all syllables allowed word-internally can take ''one extra consonant'' at the end.		* Word-finally, all syllables allowed word-internally can take ''one extra consonant'' at the end.
	* ''m'', ''n'', and ''l'' may take the place of a vowel when needed.		* ''m'', ''n'', and ''l'' may take the place of a vowel when needed.

Erin: /* Possible Syllable Shapes */

2012-07-17T15:37:29Z

Possible Syllable Shapes

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	\| 'he or she looks back'		\| 'he or she looks back'
	\|-		\|-
	\| ~~CCV~~		\| #CCV†
	\| '''pla'''mu		\| '''pla'''mu
	\| [pla.mu]		\| [pla.mu]
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	\| 'it springs back'		\| 'it springs back'
	\|-		\|-
	\| VCCC#†		\| VCCC#
	\| gl.mu.e.ju.'''apsgw''' [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/g/glmuejuapsgw/recording1.mp3 listen]		\| gl.mu.e.ju.'''apsgw''' [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/g/glmuejuapsgw/recording1.mp3 listen]
	\| [gl̩.mu.e.dʒu.apskʷʰ]		\| [gl̩.mu.e.dʒu.apskʷʰ]
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	\|}		\|}

	† '''Hashmarks''' (#) indicate the beginnings or ends of words. The notation ''~~VCCC~~#'' indicates "a vowel ~~followed by three consonants before~~ the ~~end~~ of a word". When used as above, it means that ~~VCCC~~-type syllables will only appear at the ~~end~~ of a word.		† '''Hashmarks''' (#) indicate the beginnings or ends of words. The notation ''#CCV'' indicates "two consonants followed by a vowel at the beginning of a word". When used as above, it means that CCV-type syllables will only appear at the beginning of a word.

	=Within-Syllable Restrictions=		=Within-Syllable Restrictions=

Erin: /* Syllable Contact Law */

2012-07-17T15:35:47Z

Syllable Contact Law

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	The end of one syllable must be ''more sonorous than'' the beginning of the syllable that follows it.		The end of one syllable must be ''more sonorous than'' the beginning of the syllable that follows it.

	Thus, Mi'gmaq will allow words like ''a.la'''n'''.'''g'''u.at'', 'he or she shops'; ''a.la.su'''m'''.'''t'''e.get'', 'he or she wades through snow'; ''e'''w'''.'''l'''am.sn'', 'tornado'; and '''''a'''.'''m'''u'', 'bee'. However, this is not the only way syllables may come together - syllables that end in a consonant of ''equal'' sonority as the beginning of the next syllable are also allowed, as in ''a.li'''s'''.'''q'''otg'', 'he or she chews it' and ''e.l'''i'''.'''a'''q'', 'it (inanimate) goes'. This also extends to '''geminate''' or doubled consonants: thus ''apatta'tl'', 'he or she wins him or her back' is syllabified ''a.pa'''t'''.'''t'''a'.tl''. The only thing that is not allowed is coda consonants that are ''less sonorous'' than the onsets that follow them: thus ''ajiglu'lg'', 'it is better than' cannot be syllabified *''a.ji'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'', but must instead be syllabified ''a.ji.'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'' (pronounced [a.dʒi.gə.luːlkʰ].		Thus, Mi'gmaq will allow words like ''a.la'''n'''.'''g'''u.at'', 'he or she shops'; ''a.la.su'''m'''.'''t'''e.get'', 'he or she wades through snow'; ''e'''w'''.'''l'''am.sn'', 'tornado'; and '''''a'''.'''m'''u'', 'bee'. However, this is not the only way syllables may come together - syllables that end in a consonant of ''equal'' sonority as the beginning of the next syllable are also allowed, as in ''a.li'''s'''.'''q'''otg'', 'he or she chews it' and ''e.l'''i'''.'''a'''q'', 'it (inanimate) goes'. This also extends to '''geminate''' or doubled consonants: thus ''apatta'tl'', 'he or she wins him or her back' is syllabified ''a.pa'''t'''.'''t'''a'.tl''. The only thing that is not allowed is coda consonants that are ''less sonorous'' than the onsets that follow them: thus ''ajiglu'lg'', 'it is better than' cannot be syllabified *''a.ji'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'', but must instead be syllabified ''a.ji.'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'' (pronounced [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/a/ajiglu%27lg/recording1.mp3 [a.dʒi.gə.luːlkʰ]].

	Note: An asterisk (*) before a word indicates that it is not a possible word in the language.		Note: An asterisk (*) before a word indicates that it is not a possible word in the language.

Erin: /* Syllable Contact Restrictions */

2012-07-17T15:33:40Z

Syllable Contact Restrictions

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	The end of one syllable must be ''more sonorous than'' the beginning of the syllable that follows it.		The end of one syllable must be ''more sonorous than'' the beginning of the syllable that follows it.

	Thus, Mi'gmaq will allow words like ''a.la'''n'''.'''g'''u.at'', 'he or she shops'; ''a.la.su'''m'''.'''t'''e.get'', 'he or she wades through snow'; and '''''a'''.'''m'''u'', 'bee'. However, this is not the only way syllables may come together - syllables that end in a consonant of ''equal'' sonority as the beginning of the next syllable are also allowed, as in ''a.li'''s'''.'''q'''otg'', 'he or she chews it' and ''e.l'''i'''.'''a'''q'', 'it (inanimate) goes'. This also extends to '''geminate''' or doubled consonants: thus ''apatta'tl'', 'he or she wins him or her back' is syllabified ''a.pa'''t'''.'''t'''a'.tl''. The only thing that is not allowed is coda consonants that are ''less sonorous'' than the onsets that follow them: thus ''ajiglu'lg'', 'it is better than' cannot be syllabified *''a.ji'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'', but must instead be syllabified ''a.ji.'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'' (pronounced [a.dʒi.gə.luːlkʰ].		Thus, Mi'gmaq will allow words like ''a.la'''n'''.'''g'''u.at'', 'he or she shops'; ''a.la.su'''m'''.'''t'''e.get'', 'he or she wades through snow'; ''e'''w'''.'''l'''am.sn'', 'tornado'; and '''''a'''.'''m'''u'', 'bee'. However, this is not the only way syllables may come together - syllables that end in a consonant of ''equal'' sonority as the beginning of the next syllable are also allowed, as in ''a.li'''s'''.'''q'''otg'', 'he or she chews it' and ''e.l'''i'''.'''a'''q'', 'it (inanimate) goes'. This also extends to '''geminate''' or doubled consonants: thus ''apatta'tl'', 'he or she wins him or her back' is syllabified ''a.pa'''t'''.'''t'''a'.tl''. The only thing that is not allowed is coda consonants that are ''less sonorous'' than the onsets that follow them: thus ''ajiglu'lg'', 'it is better than' cannot be syllabified *''a.ji'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'', but must instead be syllabified ''a.ji.'''g'''.'''l'''u'lg'' (pronounced [a.dʒi.gə.luːlkʰ].

	Note: An asterisk (*) before a word indicates that it is not a possible word in the language.		Note: An asterisk (*) before a word indicates that it is not a possible word in the language.

Erin: /* Syllable-Final */

2012-07-17T15:29:49Z

Syllable-Final

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	\| [əs.qoltʃ]		\| [əs.qoltʃ]
	\| 'frog'		\| 'frog'
			\|-
			\| wj
			\| a.pis.ta.ne'''wj''' [http://www.mikmaqonline.org/words-mp3/media/a/apistanewj/recording1.mp3 listen]
			\| [a.bis.ta.nɛwt͡ʃ]
			\| 'marten'
	\|-		\|-
	\| psg		\| psg

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:48, 23 July 2012
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	The following table lists the kinds of syllable shapes that are so far attested in Mi'gmaq (although others are certainly possible), along with an example written both in the [[Spelling\|Listuguj orthography]] and in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipa International Phonetic Alphabet], or IPA. '''V''' stands in for any [[Spelling#Vowels\|vowel]], '''VV''' for any long vowel, and '''C''' for any [[Spelling#Consonants\|consonant]].		The following table lists the kinds of syllable shapes that are so far attested in Mi'gmaq (although others are certainly possible), along with an example written both in the [[Spelling\|Listuguj orthography]] and in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipa International Phonetic Alphabet], or IPA. '''V''' stands in for any [[Spelling#Vowels\|vowel]], '''VV''' for any long vowel, and '''C''' for any [[Spelling#Consonants\|consonant]].

	Please note that in this case, V includes the vowels written in the Listuguj orthography and [[~~Writing~~ Schwa\|schwa]], which is only occasionally written.		Please note that in this case, V includes the vowels written in the Listuguj orthography and [[Schwa\|schwa]], which is only occasionally [[Writing Schwa\|written]].

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"