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Verbal classes in Somali: Allomorphy has no classificatory function
- Source :
- Réseau Français de Phonologie 14, Réseau Français de Phonologie 14, Jun 2016, Nice, France, Journal of Linguistics, Journal of Linguistics, Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2018, 54 (1), pp.3-43. ⟨10.1017/s002222671700024x⟩, 14e Rencontres du Réseau Français de Phonologie, 14e Rencontres du Réseau Français de Phonologie, Jun 2016, Nice, France, Journal of Linguistics, Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2018, 54 (1), pp.3-43. ⟨10.1017/S002222671700024X⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2017.
-
Abstract
- International audience; This paper focuses on the complex derivational and inflectional morphology of Somali (East Cushitic) verbs. Somali verbs are traditionally cast in three major classes, depending on specific lexical suffixes (Saeed 1993). It is assumed that these classes must be distinguished because the relevant suffixes trigger a morphologically conditioned allomorphy. We argue against this view and claim that the allomorphic patterns targeting each class are epiphenomenal. Our analysis, couched within the theoretical framework of Government Phonology (Kaye, Lowenstamm & Vergnaud 1985, 1990) and the CV-model (Lowenstamm 1996), shows that the allomorphy in question is in fact phonologically conditioned. In particular, we establish unified representations of the two major lexical suffixes – the causative and the autobenefactive – and claim that all surface realizations of these markers result from the application of regular phonological rules. Thus, contrary to what appears at first sight, Somali displays a single verbal class whose three subclasses are phonologically (not morphologically) defined.
- Subjects :
- 060201 languages & linguistics
Linguistics and Language
Government phonology
media_common.quotation_subject
Class (philosophy)
06 humanities and the arts
Causative
[SHS.LANGUE] Humanities and Social Sciences/Linguistics
Somali
Language and Linguistics
Linguistics
language.human_language
Philosophy
Phonological rule
0602 languages and literature
language
Palatalization (phonetics)
[SHS.LANGUE]Humanities and Social Sciences/Linguistics
Allomorph
Psychology
Function (engineering)
ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
media_common
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14697742 and 00222267
- Volume :
- 54
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Linguistics
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....68085f90620169798d32e28492ae1678