•  
  •  
 

Work Papers of the Summer Institute of Linguistics, University of North Dakota Session

DOI

10.31356/silwp.vol32.02

Abstract

In this paper, I will examine a number of New Guinean languages in an attempt to show that [the above] analysis is too simplistic. When determining the markedness of a given segment, it is necessary to examine both paradigmatic and syntagmatic relationships. Paradigmatially, it is undoubtedly true that a nonconsonantal sonorant (i.e. vocoid) unmarked for syllabicity is [+syll]. Syntagmatically, however, there are a number of environments in which a vocoid unmarked for syllabicity is [-syll]. In section 2, I discuss a number of environments in which the unmarked status of a vocoid is [-syll]. Then in section 3, I outline factors which interact with these environments, resulting in syllabic segments where nonsyllabic vocoids are more natural.

Included in

Linguistics Commons

Share

COinS