Tura verbal tonology
This article provides a comprehensive description and analysis of the verbal tone system of Tura, a previously undocumented dialect of Luyia (Bantu, Kenya, J.30). Tura has many tonal Patterns marking tense-aspect-mood-polarity distinctions that are characterized by a grammatical ("melodic"...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
LibraryPress@UF
2008-06-01
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| Series: | Studies in African Linguistics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ojs.test.flvc.org/sal/article/view/107296 |
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| Summary: | This article provides a comprehensive description and analysis of the verbal tone system of Tura, a previously undocumented dialect of Luyia (Bantu, Kenya, J.30). Tura has many tonal Patterns marking tense-aspect-mood-polarity distinctions that are characterized by a grammatical ("melodic") H tone on different positions of the verb stem. The realization of melodic Hs depends on the prosody of the verb stem (number of syllables, syllable weight, C-initial vs. V initial) and complex interactions with H-toned prefixes. Some melodic Hs surface whether or not there is a H-toned prefix; others do not surface after a H toned prefix; and one surfaces only in combination with a H-toned prefix. Some melodic Hs block the H of the reflexive from surfacing; others are blocked from surfacing by the reflexive H; and another surfaces along with the reflexive H. The article describes and analyzes these and other cross-melody differences in the Tura tonal system as well as variation between two speakers of the dialect. |
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| ISSN: | 0039-3533 2154-428X |