LINGUIST List 14.3387

Tue Dec 9 2003

Books: Phonology: Cassimjee

Editor for this issue: Madhavi Jammalamadaka <madhulinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. lincom.europa, Isixhosa Tonology: Cassimjee

Title: Isixhosa Tonology
Subtitle: An Optimal Domains Theory Analysis
Series Title: LINCOM Studies in African Linguistics 29

Publication Year: 2003

Publisher: Lincom GmbH www.lincom-europa.com
 http://lincom.at

Author: Farida Cassimjee,Benedict College

Paperback: ISBN: 3895865214, Pages: 200, Price: EUR 67.70

Abstract:

This book provides both a comprehensive description of the tonal
system of the verb in Isixhosa (a language belonging to the Nguni
subgroup of the Bantu language family) and a detailed exemplification
of the Optimal Domains Theory approach to tone in general and Bantu
tone in particular. A set of universal constraints governing the
behavior of High tone is proposed and motivated on the basis of a
survey of the major tonal phenomena in several representative Bantu
languages. This set of universal constraints then provides the basis
for the development of an analysis of the tone pattern of Isixhosa as
manifested in the verbal system. While much of the tonology of
Isixhosa can be insightfully analyzed in terms of the central notion
of a High Tone Domain, the very complex effects of the so-called
depressor consonants are particularly challenging. The final analysis
of these complex data requires the postulation of (a) a second type of
domain, the Register Domain, and (b) two levels with different
constraint rankings. An extremely rich and complex set of data turns
out to reflect the interaction of a number of well-motivated universal
principles. This book thus lays the basis for further research into
the universal tonal patterns exemplified by the many Bantu languages
of sub-Saharan Africa.

2nd printing. (visit our webshop: www.lincom.at)

Lingfield(s): Phonology

Subject Language(s): Isixhosa (Language Code: XOS)

Written In: English (Language Code: ENG)

 See this book announcement on our website:
 http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=8312.