<OT> New Posting: ROA-805

[roa at ruccs.rutgers.edu]

ROA 805-0206

Tone Domains in Tonga

Lev Blumenfeld <lblum at stanford.edu>

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=805


Abstract:
The complex morphotonology of the Tonga verb has offered
a challenge to generative phonology for at least thirty
years. In this paper I approach these data with new tools,
the Optimal Domains theory of Cassimjee and Kisseberth (1997).
I argue for an analysis incorporating (1) a tone reversal,
i.e. treatment of historical toneless syllables as sponsors
of H tone, (2) the separation of tone domain construction
from the surface realization of tone, in the spirit of Optimal
Domains theory, and (3) the presence of domain boundaries
in the underlying representations. These assumptions lead
to a relatively straightforward analysis of the tonal alternation
s.

Comments: 
Keywords: Optimal Domains, Tone, Tonga
Areas: Phonology
Type: Manuscript

Direct link: http://roa.rutgers.edu/view.php3?roa=805