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Two Patterns of /a/ and /o/ Alternation in Subanon

Two Patterns of /a/ and /o/ Alternation in Subanon <p>Abstract:</p><p>Two patterns of alternation affect the phonemes /a/ and /o/ in Subanon, an underdocumented Austronesian language spoken in the southern Philippines. Under suffixation, /a/ becomes /o/ in the antepenult (Pattern 1), and /o/ becomes /a/ in the penult preceding a palatal glide (Pattern 2). Pattern 1 has no apparent synchronic motivation, but comparative evidence shows that Proto-Subanen *a weakened to schwa when placed in pretonic position through suffixation, and that schwa from any source then became Subanon /o/. Pattern 2 is similar to a Subanon process called "partial vowel harmony assimilation," as well as to the alternation of final -<i>əy/-əw</i> with penultimate -<i>ay</i>/-<i>aw</i> in Western Bukidnon Manobo. However, in both cases, these processes turn out to be unrelated. In conclusion, Pattern 2 shows no clear synchronic and diachronic motivation, and we are left with a descriptive statement without an explanation.</p> http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Oceanic Linguistics University of Hawai'I Press

Two Patterns of /a/ and /o/ Alternation in Subanon

Bulalang, Sharon
Oceanic Linguistics , Volume 57 (2) – Dec 12, 2018
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Publisher
University of Hawai'I Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 University of Hawai'i Press.
ISSN
1527-9421

Abstract

<p>Abstract:</p><p>Two patterns of alternation affect the phonemes /a/ and /o/ in Subanon, an underdocumented Austronesian language spoken in the southern Philippines. Under suffixation, /a/ becomes /o/ in the antepenult (Pattern 1), and /o/ becomes /a/ in the penult preceding a palatal glide (Pattern 2). Pattern 1 has no apparent synchronic motivation, but comparative evidence shows that Proto-Subanen *a weakened to schwa when placed in pretonic position through suffixation, and that schwa from any source then became Subanon /o/. Pattern 2 is similar to a Subanon process called "partial vowel harmony assimilation," as well as to the alternation of final -<i>əy/-əw</i> with penultimate -<i>ay</i>/-<i>aw</i> in Western Bukidnon Manobo. However, in both cases, these processes turn out to be unrelated. In conclusion, Pattern 2 shows no clear synchronic and diachronic motivation, and we are left with a descriptive statement without an explanation.</p>

Journal

Oceanic Linguistics – University of Hawai'I Press

Published: Dec 12, 2018

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