Intrusive stop formation in Zulu : an application of Feature Geometry Theory
Date
2005-12
Authors
Naidoo, Shamila
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
This study investigates the Intrusive Stop Formation process in Zulu. In this
process an intrusive stop arises when a nasal and fricative are juxtaposed
resulting in the following seven affricate sounds /þf’, {v, ts’, dz, tñ’, dL, tS’/. These
sounds are theoretically distinct from the four affricate phonemes which occur in
Zulu, namely /kl’, dZ, ts’, tS’/. In this study the former are termed derived
affricates and the latter pure affricates.
Two aspects of Intrusive Stop Formation are focused on - firstly, determining
experimentally whether durational differences obtain between pure and derived
affricates and secondly, using the results of the experimental investigation to
facilitate a feature geometry description of the Intrusive Stop Formation process.
In the experimental investigation nine affricate sounds were examined. Words,
containing these sounds, were recorded in frame sentences by five speakers,
using PRAAT, a speech–processing platform. The duration of the pure and
derived affricates were then determined. It was found that pure affricates are
durationally longer than derived affricates.
The next progression in this study was the incorporation of the experimental
results into a feature geometry description of Intrusive Stop Formation. Feature
Geometry Theory has enjoyed acclaim because of its ability to retain Distinctive
Feature Theory – the crux of Phonology – in a nonlinear framework. However,
Feature Geometry Theory faces challenges with regard to the extent to which it
includes phonetic detail; and its formalization technique. This study – Intrusive
Stop Formation in Zulu : An Application of Feature Geometry Theory – brings a new perspective to Feature Geometry Theory with the incorporation of the
Duration tier – significant for the description of the Intrusive Stop Formation
process. Furthermore the study introduces a more efficient formalization
technique, which facilitates the explanation of the process.
It is always incumbent upon endeavours like this study, which examine specific
phonological processes, to show relevance. In the concluding section the
application of the experimental approach and Feature Geometry Theory is
evaluated in terms of the contribution made to the disciplines of Human
Language Technology and Speech Disorders.
A compact disk accompanies this thesis. It contains the sound files,
spectrograms and textgrids of the recorded data.
Description
Thesis (DLitt (African Languages))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
Keywords
Affricates, Intrusive stop formation, Feature geometry, Phonetics, Phonology, Laboratory phonology, Dissertations -- Zulu language, Theses -- Zulu language, Zulu language -- Phonology, Zulu language -- Phonetics